The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 10th, 1926 CHEAP POWER

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 10th, 1926 CHEAP POWER

Kecknt cable messages stated that the British Cabinet intended to introduce legislation in order to establish a board uhich would develop the electrical .services of the country on a national basis. In making the announcement. Mr Baldwin said that the present system was too parochial, and that the benelits of cheap power and light must he mad • available all over the country. Advices from London, comments the "Lyttelton Times” state that a commission has reported to the Government on the matter, and that a committee, presided over by Lord Weir, has been engaged in considering the best manner ill which to give effect to the proposal. Sir Joint Snell, chairman of the commission, giving evidence before th? Coal Commission, stated that, in

tiie next fifteen years, the output of electricity in Britain would he three times the present amount. In 1921, he said, tho output was 7,000,000.000 units. To treble that total, it would not he necessary to treble the quantity of coal consumed. The increase could he effected by doubling the present consumption, and the greater demand for electricity would tend to reduce the amount of coal now required for domestic and industrial purposes. Tho tendency of the industry, the witness said, was toward concentration, and already many of tho large generating stations were near the coalfields. Sir John Snell added flint his eoinmi.ssioii had effected some most advantageous amalgamations, hut not of the comprehensive nature necessary to effect the greatest ocononiv. The electric companies protest that they are anxious to provide a more efficient and more economical .service, and state that the nr? ready to amalgamate voluntarily wherever there is a prospect of better business by so doing. They take the view that Government interference might prove costly, and hamper the developments that they have

in view. When the mail left London, the recommendations of the Weir Comniitto? were not known, hut probably the decision of the Cabinet to place the industry on a national footing is the outcome of the committee’s work. To some quarters it is thought that close co-operation between the eomt'anies and the Government should make the task an easy one. The erection of great generating stations on the coalfields would eliminate much costly transportation, nrcvent much waste in t'-e mining indnstrv hv enabling all tho output to he nut to immediate use, and provide ample and cheap cower for the manufacturing firms, assisting them in these days of international coinivtition. legislation is to he introduced during the present session, ami it 11m. mises to lie of the utmost importance to Britain as a manufacturing nation. Cheap power should >rovo a stmmr fillip to the restoration of British trade.