HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 March 1920, Page 4

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

GOVERNMENT POLICY ATTACKED. MORE ACTIVITY ADVOCATED. By Telegraph.— Press Association. ' ti." Wellington, Last Night. li me l hotls of t , he Publlc Works Department were discussed by the Chambers of Commerce Conference to«TW » n arris (Wanganui) moved* J-hat the Government be strongly urged to remove the construction and maintenance of hydro-eleetrio schemes from the; Public Works Department, and place these works in charge of u separate department; also to establish a joard of control, consisting of engineers and commercial men, charge* with full power to construct, maintain, and control all the hydro-eleetrio schemes which are authorised by Parliament, with a view to more energy being displayed in carrying out the schemes already authorised." The Public Works Department ini bound to be swayed by local and t>ofitwal, influences, said Mr. Harris. A Minister of Public Works had to listen to the claims of districts and ates, and this meant delay and Waste. Hydro-electric development ought to be on strict business lines. _ Mr. E. H- Crabb (Palmerston North), in seconding the motion, said the arrangements at Mangaoho, for instance, showed a lack of energy and a lack of business* method. Mr. Parry had estimated that the Mangaoho scheme could be completed in four years, but at the present rate of progress power would not be available for seven or eight years. Another point of importance, said Mr. Crabb. was the discontent thftt prevailed in the Public Works ment's electrical engineering staff. Since the beginning of the year three or four engineers had resigned and two or three more were likely to leave. The Department had a tradition and a bad tradition. Its rule was to avoid spending the money too fast. That might suit political purposes but ii did not ■suit business men, who were waiting for Hie development of hydro-eleetrie power. The power works should be placed under the control of n separate department as soon as possible. % The motion was carried unanimously.