ELECTRIC POWER FOR TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1920, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER FOR TARANAKI.

The action of the executive of the Taranaki Hydro-Electric League in deciding to merge into the Taranaki Progressive League is a step in the right direction. It is certainly far better to have one thoroughly representative organisation working for the general good of all parts of the province than a number of associations each having some object to further, but acting independently of one another, overlapping at times, and always liable to clash. That there is a very urgent demand for electric power has been evident for some long, time past, and the coal shortage has strongly emphasised this demand. The Progressive League is a particularly fitting body to further such a movement, and the recognition of this fact does credit to the public spirit of the members of the Hydro-Electric League. To our mind it is a waste of valuable time and money to expect advice as to the services available for generating powers before taking any steps to form a power board, when all the power required in Taranaki for a considerable time ahead can be obtained from' the New Plymouth supply. Equally unnecessary to our mind is the investigation of the possibilities of generating electricity from the coal in Taranalci's hinterland, which ia likely under the most favorable circumstances to remain inaccessible for some years to come. The supply of electric power to the whole of Taranaki admits of no delay. There lias been too much already. The time for action has comc. Taranaki can be supplied for many years to come, until at any rate the Government's own power is available, from the New Plymouth hydro service. There is nothing experimental about this scheme. It has been proved, and its further development is only a question of capital and material. The League cannot do better than concentrate on this service, and get the Government to construct the main line from Inglewood to Hawera or Patea, and determine the price at which it shall be supplied. We hope the League will lose no time in taking action in this direction.