ARAPUNI WORKS.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 13, 10 January 1924, Page 2

ARAPUNI WORKS.

SCHJSM E OF CONCENTRATR >N. Writing* from London on November 23 a correspondent mentions that one of the most important resolutions passed by the Economic Conference was that by which it is proposed to supply loans to the Dominions free of three-quarters of the interest for five years. Naturally this has to be ratified by the British Parliament, J and the result of the general election I must be favourable for the party now f in power if anything decided by the Economic Conference is to be carried i out. In the meantime, however, Sir . James Allen has wasted no time in evolving a scheme whereby the generous financial offer made by the British Government can be utilised to the full. Mi*. Evan Parry, who arrived from New Zealand about a fortnight ago, has been consulted by the Higji Commissioner, and he has made suggestion- which should bring about a great speeding up of the public works contemplated in the Dominion. Owing to the question of finance and the necessity Cor spreading expenditure over a fairly Jong period arrangements had been made to complete the Arapuni power station in about five years. This meant that orders for all the other materials to complete the electrification of the ’ country would be put off until the chief power station was nearing completion. The scheme now put forward is to concentrate on the Arapuni installation as the key of the situation; bor- ; row the necessary money over a ' period of two years instead of five; : and stipulate that firms tendering* for , the work should complete it in two years. The inevitable result of this action will be a general speeding up of the work associated with the power plant. Orders will have to be placed immediately for the material for transmission lines, the sub-stations, ■ and all the other installations which j are necessary to distribute the power ! throughout the country. j These proposals will be considered ' by Mr. Massey shortly, but no action, j of course, can be taken until after the general elections here.