HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 302, 17 September 1919, Page 7

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER

The conference of the New Zealand Farraa\s' Union yesterday gave some- consideration to the subject oi hydro-elec-tric power schemes, and Mr. C.K. Wilson (Auckland) brought the.matter forward by moving the following remit;— "That tho Gsvormuentjio urged..to lose no time ip. pushing en.with a comprehe;i. sivo hydro-electric power scheme which will include the control and full development of the Hora Hora water power." j, Mr. Wilson said he was convinced that electric energy was absolutely essential in order that the production of the country might be .'increased. "We must not allow millions and millions of money to be spent on this electric scheme solely for the -interests of tho cities," said Mr. Wilson. "Wo must fight for our just rights. . Let us have the' use of tho electriejty throughout tho If that is done our production will go up by^leaps' and bounds." (Hear, hoar.) .- SiT James Wilson (president of the conference) said thiit on the West Coast of tho Wellington province they wero interested in the Mangahno scheme. If their interests in that scheme were not safeguarded Wellington could absorb rho whole of the power generated from the plant.

.Several delegates took the view that the conference should not look at tho matter from a parochial aspect. When discussing tin; subject tho whole interests of the Dominion should be taken into consideration.

Mr. 11.. Evans (North Canterbury) said that they should not look to tho Government, to do everything. They must help themselves to a. largo extent or else nothing would bo done. _ Sir James "Wilson said the distribution of power ought to be in the hands of tho county councils. The distributing agency wis by far the most important, and it was absolutely essential that the counties should not allow private individuals to cany out that particular work. After further ■discussion tho remit was altered to read: "That in any hydroelectric scheme the largest, proportion of current be allocated to tho country industries to encourage further production of the land."' ' \ In that form tho motion was carried.