The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND WEDNESDAY. JUNE 25, 1930 A HYDRO HUMPTY-DUMPTY?

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1007, 25 June 1930, Page 10

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND WEDNESDAY. JUNE 25, 1930 A HYDRO HUMPTY-DUMPTY?

ALA PUN I now looks like a storm-wracked bay with the tide tV out. There are puddles, mud, some jetsam, and fugitive water gurgling in fissures. And to give an appropriate finish to ti'ie desolate picture there are also in stagnant pools dead trout floating on their backs in a kind of imitative mockex-y of the great enterprise that so soon betraved them.

Of course, that is a wintry scene at Arapuni with the stricken hydro-electric works looking their worst. Still, at the best, the position is bad enough to have been described not immoderately fry. O le Prime Minister as “disquieting.” On authoritative opinion the Waikato wonder, beyond doubt, will be useless for a year at least. Other opinion, not without knowledge, if lacking in political authority, does not hesitate to double the official prospective period of Arapuni’s impotence. Worse still (although credence need not yet be given to a view so pessimistic) many observers of the paralysed giant are beginning- to look upon the audacious scheme as a hydro-llumpty-Dumpty, and ask if it ever will be put on the wall again. So far and without inordinate delay the Government, which lias accept Arapuni as a dubious legacy, lias done the right thing in deciding to hold up any adventurous plans or proposals for a scheme of reinforcement almost akin to concreting the fractured Waikato Valley, and first secure the advice of at least one . eminent expert from overseas. The Government should not hesitate to go farther and obtain the advisory services of a special commission of geologists and lion-departmental engineers with ample opportunity and power to investigate the whole sorry business. If thorough inquiry should demonstrate clearly that the present serious failure of Arapuni is attributable entirely to the forces of Nature, the State engineers will have the great satisfaction of knowing that on all other public works of more than ordinary magnitude and vital importance the confidence of the country will be again reposed in them without question. Tf. on the contrary, it should be proved that engineering officers of tiie Publie Works Department have failed in any way to provide adequate safeguards or have taken undue risks either in ignorance of danger or in an exercise of overweening confidence in their own ability, then the quicker they are out of the State's service the better it will be for harassed taxpayers. Nothing could be fairer than that argument, and the Government should base its Arapuni policy upon it. As has been emphasised pointedly in this column time and again, the worst effect of Arapuni’s paralysis in the meantime must fall upon the Auckland Electric-Power Board, whose faith in the strength of the State enterprise on the Waikato River caused it to promote and secure a remarkable expansion of the demand for electrical energy. All that was required to be said about this progressive board’s unfortunate plight today was expressed wisely and well yesterday by its chairman. Mr. W. J. Holdsworth did not indulge in exaggeration when he described the present collapse of Arapuni as “a national disaster,” and he was well within the boundaries of reason in urging that the Government should treat the cost of providing supplementary power as a Dominion liability, and bear a substantial share of the serious emergency expenditure. A “fifty-fifty” basis of sharing the expense of a big standby generating plant is not an unreasonable suggestion in the circumstances. Apparently the Government, although its action has been delayed, realises the State’s obligations in a crisis, and is willing to meet the board in a spirit of reasonableness and perhaps generosity. Both administrations are to be commended for their frankness, and for their intention to co-operate in the task of supplying electric power for the industries and homes of Greater Auckland. And since it obviously has become necessary to procure additional steam-plant for generating electricity, the Government ought to help the power board to obtain sufficient supplies of coal at reasonable prices. It would have been better, of course, if a generating station could have been erected on the Waikato coalfields, but unfortunately that expedient would take as long to establish there as the time required for setting up again the Arapuni Humpty-Dumpty. FACING A NEW SESSION JT is probable that there is as much or as little enthusiasm in this country about the millenary of the Icelandic Parliament today as about the opening of the New Zealand Parliament tomorrow. In one respect at least the celebration at Reykjavik is the more remarkable function because it commemorates no fewer than 1,000 years of government in a far and unfamiliar country. Incidentally, this Icelandic ceremony serves to emphasise the enduring strength of polities which, in some form or other, all down the ages has been the pivotal point of man’s community existence. Today, as 1,000 years ago, government—and particularly good government—deals with the bread and butter of a nation. For that reason the resumption of work in the House of Representatives tomorrow is of greater importance than usual, and if public enthusiasm is meagre members may be assured that public interest is neither lacking nor scanty. From the North Cape to the Bluff it is realised that there is greater need than ever for a brisk and progressive, yet sane, handling of the Dominion’s affairs. Politicians are apt always to exaggerate the importance of their business, but, on this occasion, there is no necessity for emphasis. Times are difficult, particularly for the administrators of State business and trading concerns; new questions have arisen, and the United Government, besides being in a harassing minority, is bereft of its former leader and source of inspiration. On the other hand the Opposition is divided on principle though unanimous in hatred of one another. Indeed, it is this political or party animosity that provides a measure of safety for the Government. In other words, the Administration is unlikely to be defeated on a vote of no-confidence, because neither of the other parties is willing to see its rival placed in power. Although there is talk about the possibility of sensations it may be taken for granted that no politician is desirous of an emergency election. Every effort will be strained and every device exploited before voters will be allowed to settle the party issue. Normally the coming period in the House should constitute the working session, for custom has made it a rule that Parliament shall do ifs best work in the middle year of its term. There is greater reason than ever this year for first-class work, and in view of the prospective necessity for the Prime Minister to attend the Imperial Conference in September, this should be put in hand speedily and efficiently. For example, at a time when economy is being advocated, there is need for the paring of lengthy debates that mean nothing and lead nowhere. Mr. Forbes lias been shouldered with a load of difficulties, but be has accepted them with a stiff lip and asserts a determination to begin work without humbug. The hope is that his colleagues and opponents will do likewise.