Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1920, Page 2

hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, MARCH 11th., 1920 PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

Everywhere in the Empire politicians and publicists are dinning sermons into the ears of the multitude. Their text is increased production and development of natural resources. Mr Massey is also among the preachers. Wha-, asks the Dunedin Star, are he and his Government doing? The lead they are giving us—in the sphere of deeds and not words—might be improved on The beginnings of the movement to develop the Dominion’s hydro-elect no power possibilities date back to Mr Seddon’s day. Since then a great deal of water has run under the bridges, but not through Pelton wheels or turbine*. An almost negligible quantity has been harnessed; the rest has leapt and gush, ed to waste. The difficulties in the matter of reliable and economic motive, power to drive the wheels of industry have steadily intensified year by yeu\ The coal trouble is one of the Domin. ion’s big hurdles. The alternative has long ago been shown to lie at our own doors. Yet the Government have shown a hesitancy in turning to it, which is deplorable. Its like would only be excusable in a. person suffering from nervous breakdown or incorrigible idleness. Unfortunately we apply different standards to polities and business. •Politicians talk and count it something accomplished,* something done. Inflict evep a. .small dose of similar talk on a.'business man, and he would either cut it off at the meter or flee from it in order that he might, get .something done. Quite enough advice has poured from the seats of the" mighty. The retort now is: “Physician, heal thyself.” Cur point was excellently illustrated at tho Chambers of Commerce Conference at Wellington last week. The Government have tardily embarked on the Manga-

hao .hydro-electric scheme, and appear to be proceeding with it in typically leisurely fashion. Much impatience has been exhibited in Palmertson North and'wliat was let off at the Engineers’ Conference in Dunedin a couple weeks ago was supplemented on Tuesday by Mr Crabbe, who said with perfect truth that at the present rate the scheme would take seven or eight years instead of 'four to 'complete, becaues the Public Works Department was subservient to political rather than to business traditions. Several speak, ers properly urged a separation of the hydro-electric branch from Pub'.i? Works, making tile former an independent department. Air Holmes when in Dunedin recently defended his depart-

ment from criticism of this nature. He pleaded both shortage and poor quality of labour and scarcity of timber an 1 steel. The retort to his complaint about labor was that it was underpaH, and that more money would bring better results. It is worth a trial. Possibly this reason also accounts for the exodus of electrical engineers from the department, which Mr Crabbe said was due to a previling feeling of discontent. The new Minister of Public Works has a task lying to his band ns soon as he takes charge. Mr Coat?s is a comparatively young man, and i? reputed not to be lacking in eneeigy Finally, if the suggestion may be tendered to a North Island Minister of Works in a predominantly North Island pab,inlet, there is a big engi-

neering work in the South Island which demands his immediate attention. The Midland Railway tunnel is s till uiipie.*.*-

od. The Dominion cannot allow the prosecution of this big undertaking to dawdle along as it did, perhaps unavoidably, during tho war. Christ, church is again bestirring itself in the matter. The Canterbury Progress League a.ro issuing ‘‘Speed Up Otira” circulars far and wide, and it would be only a neighborly act for Otago to second in no mere pro forma fashion Ifche sister province’s resolution not to rest until the tunnel headings meet and the east-west arterial line of the South Island is open for traffic through the heart of the Southern Alps.