COSTS NEXT TO NOTHING.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1920, Page 12 (Supplement)

COSTS NEXT TO NOTHING.

CANADA'S USE OF HYDRO POWER A HINT TO NEW ZEALAND.

After what they saw in Canada, the New Zealand delegates to the Imperial Press Conference at Ottawa were more impressed than ever of the. importance of hydro-electric energy to the southern Dominion. Mr. J. Parker, the editor of the Wellington Evening Post, who returned to Auckland by tiie Niagara last .vcek, gave some interesting particulars onceriiing the marvellous extent to Which water power has been exploited in the northern Dominion for the generation of electric power (says the Auckland Star). "Practically every ,'i'eat industrial venture in Canada is now served with power," says .Air. Parker. "(,'overnment statistics show that there is installed throughout the Dominion some 2,4 IS,(K)0 turbine or water-wheel horse-power, of which 2,215,000 horse-power is actually and regularly employed in useful work. Of the total power installed—l am quoting from ollicial information supplied to the Press delegates—l.T.'idJlJl horse-power, or 72.7 per cent, is installed in eei.tral electric stations. By central stations arc meant stations which are engaged in the development of electrical energy for sale and distribution. Central station power is sold for lighting, mining, electro-chemical and electro-metallurgi-cal industry, milling and general manufacturing. In a word, it is claimed that no country enjoys to a greater degree, the benefits of cheap, dependable, hydropower, and no country has had these heneiits more universally applied for municipal industrial and domestic use. "While it must be admitted that Nature has been exceptionally prodigal in supplying water, an abundant rainfall and suitable waterfalls at convenient centres, credit inu.4 be given to the Canadian and Provincial Parliaments for having the water-power thoroughly investigated and intelligently administered. The abundance of electric power not only facilitates industrial operations, but cheapens production. In all the cities and towns, no matter how small the streets, hotels and public place= of entertainment are brilliantly illuminated, thus adding to their general brightness and attractiveness.

"As to cost? [ was informed that six cents per unit was not regarded us cheap, and instances were quoted in different parts of Canada and the States where the cost of electric power for manufacturing purposes was ns low as one cent. Should not careful consideration of Canada's experience expedite New Zealand's laggard steps?"