SOUTHLAND’S PROGRESS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 181, 2 May 1925, Page 8

SOUTHLAND’S PROGRESS

OPENING OF POWER STATION ' !_ > A RED LETTER DAY i • Bt Telegraph—Press Association. ■ ' Invercargill, May 1. Excellent weather favoured the opening of the Southland Electric Power Board station at Monowai yesterday. ■ . Great public interest was manifested, and fully a thousand people motored to the scene of the opening. \ The guests of the board numbered 250, and consisted of Power Board members, . representatives of public bodies, the Southland borough, and leading business interests. ,Mr. .A. W. Rodger fchairman of the board), the Hon. J, G. Coates, the Hon. G. J. Anderson, and Sir Joseph Ward formed, the offi- > cial party. After the. opening cere- ' mony th<> gathering left Monowai for Invercargill late in the afternoon. Mr. Rodger said that the day marked an epoch in the history of Southland. There had been difficulties with the scheme, but they had been overcome, and he believed that none could realise the effect, it would have, on the wealth and prosperitv of the province. The Hon. J. G. Coates said that Southland might rightly be termed the "self-reliant province of New Zealand.” The development of electricity would have a great effect on the .economic life of the people of the Dominion. New Zealand was able to use unlimited power.' He hoped that the board’s scope would in time be widened. Mr. Coates touched upon the ambitions .of the Government in dealing with hydro-electric schemes. The State schemes would be held on a commercial basis. He was satisfied that in time they would pay a huge dividend. ' The attractions of New Zealand would be increased with care and well thought out schemes, arid the country would prosper, and attract capital frot| overseas. Dealing with the Southland.' scheme, the Minister. pointed out that Southland was responsible for the main features of the Power Board Act, making it possible for all to benefit by electricity and preventing economic .waste. It was now incumbent upon all to take and use all the power they could, and later on they would benefit by cheap potter,, as the financial" position would light itself. "I am proud to-day to be a Soutjilander,” said the Hon. G. J. Anderson, “and as Southland develops so will this comprehensive scheme.” The speaker said that they were initiating a scheme that would be a tremendous factor in developing Southland, and despite the opposition, the courage and enthusiasm of the board and the, people would guarantee the success of the scheme. Sir Joseph Ward said he joined with all in congratulating the board on its method of obtaining power for the use of man. There had been nothing more important done.in New Zealand than the utilisation of waste water power. “There is no country in the world,” said Sir Joseph Ward, “that is better geographically situated for the use of electric power by water. As sure fas I am speaking to-day, the time will come when electricity will be used in all departments, , of life throughout the Dominion.” The speaker felt that if the people -expected the schema to pav ih a year or two, they would be disappointed. They would have to do their bit, apd by linking up would ultimately assure the success of the scheme.’