The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1917. HYDRO-ELECTRIC .POWER, AND LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1666, 25 January 1917, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1917. HYDRO-ELECTRIC .POWER, AND LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

THE Palmerston Chamber of Commerce is taking an active part in the movement to secure a cheap supply of electric power for Palmerston and district. The Chamber has obtained from a large number of industrial firms their views on the utilisation of electric power. The information was collected on forms giving space for a description of the motive power at present in use, the amount of power used, probable requirements of electricity, and finally the firms were asked to state their reasons for considering an electric installation necessary. The Chamber has received the following replies from those engaged in the flaxmilling industry in this district. :

“The reasons are much stronger for having electric power where only a little power is required than in a plant like ours,” writes the managing director of the biggest tlaxmill in New Zealand, “but,” he adds, “we consider that it would pay to use electricity.” A tlaxmiller writes that electric power, if not absolutely necessary, is advisable, on the grounds of economy, saving of labour, and expensive plants, and by doing these things it might, on a future occasion, in a time of trade depression or keen competition, be the very means of saving the life of the llaxmilling industry.

“Cheapness and cleanliness” are the grounds for another (laxmiller’s support.

A firm of twine manufacturers and (taxmillers says; —If it can be supplied at cost about equal to suction gas we would instal it for several reasons. Some are that electric power would mean less labour troubles, steadier running, less upkeep, and simpler working in every way.

“I personally consider,” writes a tlaxmiller, “that hydro-electric power would benefit the, (laxmillers of the Manawatu to an untold extent, and would urge that a first-(‘lass scheme in the above direction should be pushed on without delay. Most of our local industries, if not all, depend on steam for their power, which leaves us all powerless in the event of a coat strike. Further comment is therefore unnecessary to show what an advantage we would have under the above power. The llaxmilling industry is in its infancy with regard to the process of dressing our flax, and if electricity was handy, its use in some new process might be the means of revolutionising the present crude methods.”