The Daily News. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1919. COAL AND ELECTRICITY.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1919. COAL AND ELECTRICITY.

The question of the generation of power for industrial heating, lighting, and other purposes that affect the daily life of the people is one that is becoming more and more acute. Development and greater production depend mainly on the provision of mechanical power, and it is the failure of the Government to adequately realise how progress is being retarded for the want of this power that is causing much concern. With the coal output subject to the caprice of the miners it will never be possible to depend on steam power or gas as an aid to industrial progress, or for meeting the requirements of lighting and heating. Moreover, the enormous wastage of converting coal inito energy is simply appalling. Recently Professor Waters demonstrated that, on the average, all over the world, for every 100 tons of coal in a seam 55 tons are lost in mining, 42f tons go up in smoke, exhaust steam, etc., and only 2} tons are saved in the form of useful work. Manifestly, at this rate, in view of the enormous strides taken each year in the additions made to the great industries that bring wealth, to the nations, the life of the known coal measures must be growing perilously limited. The vast industrial concerns in Britain have been built up, since the second half of the eighteenth century, by means of her splendid coal assets, j and there is no question that the possession of coal, satisfactory in extent, quality, and geographical position, means the possession of power, always provided that nothing happens to restrict or stop the supply. It is quite certain that if, when Britain had just entered upon the production of steam power by means of coal, the conditions of labor unrest and uncertainty had existed, the new era of industrial development would have been brought to a close. To-day we are well aware of the slender thread upon which industry hangs—the will of the miners to work or cease work. The only two other sources of

r-nergy are oil and electricity, and Ihe former may be eliminated as

;>ot coming into competition, thus narrowing down the generation of power to either coal or hydroelectricity. In considering this matter as it affects the Dominion, it has to be remembered that, under the most favorable circumstances, the places which can be supplied with coal at a price and of a quality suitable for generating mechanical power are necessarily few, and the recent shortage of output has shown that at any moment the industries and domestic life of the Dominion may be arrested by the miners. In the case of hydro-electric power the position is entirely different, for the energy can be developed at any suitable position on a watercourse, and carried by means of cables to even remote districts, the generating power being capable of being utilised again and again. It is hard to realise jwhat guwaious ar§

possible by adapting hydro-electric power to the service of the community, for at present we have scarcely got beyond the initial stages, while Norway and Sweden have great industries developing by this power. Every year that passes without a forward move being made in the direction of harnessing up the water power that is now running to waste means a heavy loss to the country and the people, besides depriving the rural and urban population of the great boon of lighting, heating, and mechanical power. The economic conditions of the present time are too serious and acute to permit of waste of any kind, while the need for greater production is paramount. The electors should see to it that every member of the new Parliament is pledged to use his or her best efforts to ensure a speedy and vigorous policy of hydro-electric work that will'meet the urgent requirements throughout the Dominion. The benefits that will ensue are so vast that it seems incredible this great lever of national prosperity and comfort has been so systematically neglected. In every part of New Zealand the advent of electric current would be hailed as a priceless boon, if only for the reason that dependence can be placed on the regularity of supply and its freedom from the scope of industrial troubles.