TARANAKI'S ADVANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 July 1921, Page 6

TARANAKI'S ADVANCE.

| PROGRESS LEAGUE'S WORK. HYDRO-ELECTRICITY SCHEME. SOME PLAIN SPEAKING. | CLEARING THE AIR. The first annual meeting of the Taranaki Progress League was held at Stratford yesterday afternoon. Present:— Messrs. J. W. McMillan (chairman), F. T. Bellringer (Now Plymouth Borough Council), T. C. List (Taranaki Chamber of Commerce), J. B. Richards (Stratford ; Chamber of Commerce and other bedi ies), J. McCluggage (Harbor Board), C. jL. Stevenson (Waimate West County •Council), E. Walter (Stratford County Council), A. Corkill (Inglewood County Council). Mr. R. Masters, M.P., was ! also present, and apologies -for absence were received from Messrs. F. E. "Wilson j and J. Connett, of New Plymouth. I In moving the adoption of the report • and balance sheet, the chairman said ■ that the League had been started in a very enthusiastic manner, but interest seemed since then to have slackened .very considerably. This was to be regretted. because the league had been established to assist the province as a whole, and any spirit of parochialism had been eliminated. He hoped next yc.ir would bring better results, and that the league would be bettor supported throughout the district. Stratford being the headquarters of the lea-j gue, Stratford members of the executive ‘ committee had more work to do than | other members, hut they had done this I work willingly. He had a feeling that I the league was not in favor throughout the province, and he wanted a candid expression oi opinion from those present in discussing the report. The adoption of the report was seconded by Mr. C. L. Stevenson. NOT GREATLY IMPRESSED. Air. T. C. List said the Taranaki Chamber of < ’ommerce hatl not- been

J very much impressed with the policy and work of the Progress League. It had been hoped that the League would seek the co-operation of all parts of the province in the promotion of the interests of Taranaki, but it seemed that the league had made a tactical mistake in its hydro-electrical policy. Instead of securing the co-operation and sympathy of other parts uf Taranaki, the league had pursued a policy which had nh • ated that support. This was to . .- gretied, for the interests of Taranaki were common in this vital matter, as in other matters, and there was no reason at all why they should not work together to their mutual benefit and profit. The line of divergence seemed to lie in ihe executive striving for one district board. New Plymouth had hydro-elec-tric resources which, they were doing their utmost to develop, and it was feltthat the borough council were not receiving the credit they were entitled to for their efforts on behalf of Taranaki. -?n and unexpected difficulties, financial and otherwise, had arisen, but they had been slowly but surely' overcome, and there was no doubt that in a ■ very short time New Plymouth would be ' in a position to offer power to other parts of Taranaki. THWARTING POWER BOARDS. The aim of the league had been to tuwart the formation of the smaller boards instead of assisting in the formation of these boards, as, for instance, Eltham, which had not had very much support from the league, when thev i certainly were entitled to it. Eltham would get power from New Plymouth in good time, and il seemed to the Taranaki Chamlier of Commerce that it would have been very much better had the league pulled with Eltham rather than against them. ' Similarly with New Plymouth. The league was pursuing a phantom in trying to secure a board for the whole of Taranaki, including New Plymouth, which had certain rights and would fight to the very last to retain them. For this reason: They had a very efficient organisation, including very capable engineers, who were carrying on an important work j from the point of view of the province i and the country, and naturally they ; did not want any interference with the ' until they had completed

the full scheme. It would be entirely different when the works wore completed, and when they joined up with the Government hydro-electric schemes. But until such time they desired to retain i’ie management of the work in their own hands. They did not wish to d<> so, as had been imputed, from selfish motives. Far from that. They believed they could best carry out the work unhindered and untrammelled by others. They had already made considerable progress again.-t much opposition. They still had obstacles before •them which they were overcoming, and they were entitled to the help and sympathy of the outside district of Taranaki, and not the opposition to which they had been subjected. WE NEED FOR CHEAP POWER. feeling in some quarters was that the Progress League' had not done justice to the people, who were carrying on' this very important work. The greatest need in the province to-day was lor cheap hydro-electric power. Had New Plymouth been selfish, as they had been accused of being, they would have, some time ago, got out of all their troubles by accepting the oiler of a large and influential Home firm to finance and complete the scheme in its entirety, but feeling they should help the country they had preferred that the power should be made available for the rest of Taranaki, rather than sell the supply to one firm. TJiey believed that what helped the province helped the town equally. It had to be remembered that the charge for electricity in bulk Was determined solely by the Government, and could be reviewed every five years. Thus it was not possible for New Plymouth—even if they desired to —to exploit the rest of Taranaki. He de- , sired to emphasise this point, an understanding of which would have prevented some statements that had been publicly made regarding New Ply- , mouth’s attitude. The Progress League had, he thought, hardly done justice to New Plymouth’s position, or Kitham’s, and for that reason these places had not accorded the league the support that might otherwise have been forthcoming. ]t was essential that Taranaki should pull together, and he regretted that a round table conference had not been held in connection with hydro-electricity, and a basis of wid actio a decided upon,

(had great faith jn Taranaki, which he • described as the fairest and best part of I New Zealand, and he looked forward +o ; the League being an instrument of help, j and not of hindrance, to the development of a province which, in many respects, was still in its infancy. Air. McMillan said that it was quite a wrong impression that the league was antagonistic n> New Plymouth. When the hydro-electric business was discussed not one of the three members from New Plymouth was present, and it was the chairman of the Taranaki I County Council who proposed the desirability of having a large power board.

NEW PLYMOUTH SCHEAI-E. .Air. Bellringer said that New Plymouth had a very large scheme, and would develop from 8000 to 9000 h.p. At present they 7 were going on with a smaller sc'.ienie. which would develop 3000 li.p. Small power boards would be the best thing. .If a power district, embracing counties between Eltham and Inglewood, were formed, things would get along much more quickly than with one largo power board, because, with a largo district comprised •of all Taranaki,’many difficulties would arise, and there would be so much to do that the supply would be delayed, if they took in the whole of Taranaki all their energies would he dissipated in overcoming obstacles. With small power boards they would get better results. The Government had stated that, if these, small power boards were formed, when the big Taranaki board was formed the small power boards must merge in-

to the large body; they were really forming a largo one Later on. It had been given out that power could be supplied to the Ell ham and Stratford di~iricts in eighteen months, but this was j a mistake. Eighteen months was t.;e I time it would take for the •construction of the works, but in fixing that time many preliminary difficulties had ! been overlooked. The first was the getting of power to start with. There had been many delays in getting <jp with’ the work which had been overcome. There was another obstacle to be oncounteved which was holding them up now, hut when this was overcome they should be able to supply power in about fifteen months’ time. The prices for j cower were based on an estimate of work. The work was going io cost £60,009 more than was estimated, but the prices would be the same, and they themselves would bear the brunt of the 1 extra cost. Price-, could be increased nr decreased by the Government-. If; the league were dissatisfied with the ; prices, and thought them too high, it • could applv io the Government to have; them reduced. On the other hand, if' New Plymouth were dissatisfied with ji the prices, and thought them too low, they could -apply to the Government t 6 have them increased, hut he thought it would bo much more difficult to secure an increase than a decrease. WORK OF THE LEAGUE. Air. J. B. Richards said that he wished to point out that the hydro-electric; question had been just a portion of the/ -rk which had engaged the attention p of the league. In the formation of the:' league it was not originally suggested!' that it should take up that work, but|| at the’ suggestion of members the I league did take it up. Ho contended ! that the delegation which had proceed- ■ : cd to Wellington was the most influ- ’ cntial delegation which had over lei’tii Taranaki. Under more fortuitous cir-i. cumstanccs the delegation would have met with milch more success. However, L the Government had decided to ciitl’ down expenses, and they were unlucky!; enough to be the district where the re-!.

duction was made. Under better cir cumstanccs the work of ft he Progres l Lqague would have shown more fruit Triers were deserving of, support; the ' league tried and deserved encouragement. because, if it kept on trying if would get results. Referring to th< work the league had done in other directions, he said the opening of the Alt, Egmoir- quarries would be much better for Taranaki. The Hon. J. G. Coates had favored the opening of the quarries, and it looked? as if, when they were opened, there would bo a good supply of metal at a reasonable price. At the league’s request the . Government had surveyed, the Tangarakau leoal fields. The inspection seemed to have been made -only of the surface, for there wore seams of good coal in the area. He remarked on the prospects of the. Ohura mine. Men from the Ohura had stated that there were supplies of good coal, and it seemed that if they could get coal from Ohura instead of from Huntly it would be a great saving to the province in railage alone. lie had found that 70,000 tons per year of coal was received at inland stations in Taranaki. Regarding hydro-electric work, it was pointed out that the league had been unwise in .taking up its attAude. Tie would like to point out that every reasonable effort was made to estiniate v.hat was the general opinion of those who were occupying public positions, and he contended the result was that a very strong opinion was found in favor of a large power board. CASE FOR ONE BOARD. Mr. Richards said the opinion had been expressed that ultimately the big power board would be necessary. Was it not wise to start the big board without, having other entanglements which the}' would have to get clear of if small boards were formed ? There were already a number of licenses which -would have to be dealt with, and it was unwise to get other entanglements. He knew of no antagonism to the. New Plymouth scheme, ftseemed quite clear that if Taranaki as a province were to lake a hand towards supplying itself with electric energy it should be in a position to supply all parts. It was said that the smaller boards would probably be the maximum that New Plymouth people could supply at present Whether the supply came from New Plymouth, from another part, or from a combination of two or even more parts, it seemed to him that the proper way to do the thing was to have the big power board. He thought that much good could be done by an organisation such as the league, and despite differences which might arise the league should hold together as long ks it was able. The question of parochialism had arisen. There had been some idea that the league was out to look after Strafford. Personally he was quite prepared to see the headquarters of the league shifted. Wherever the headquarters might be Stratford people would always give the league their support. Mr. C. L. Stevenson said there was nothing like having the power to supply all of Taranaki. New Plymouth had energy of 8000 to 9000 horse-power, and only proposed to harness 3000 horsepower. His council opposed New Plymouth .and supported the league in working for one large board, and appreciated Stratford’s efforts. Messrs. List and Bellringer had made out a fine case for New Plymouth, but New Plymouth only proposed at present to develop one-third of its power. Mr, List; “It is quite impossible to do

more than is being done at present.” ; Mr. Stevenson: “Why? The power is ■ available.” ; Mr. List: “The engineers are pushing on jas much as they are able to.” i Mr. Stevenson went on io ray that be : thought that under the New Plymouth jischeme only the districts along the railway line would be supplied. LEAGUE UNSUPPORTED. Air. Kirkwood thought that much of the criticism levelled against the league was unfair. Besides the hydro electric work the league had done other work for which it had got no credit. One big power board i was favored by the Government and by the ; Government electrical engineers in all districts where hydro-elect- c power was developed. At present there was a tendency ! on the isthmus of Auckland to have small power boards, but recently a meeting had been called for the purpose, cd’ forming one big power board on. the isihmu/. The position with one big power board in Taranaki was that power could be developed and would be developed. One big pow« r

i I 'oard would work sufficient power to de ! velop hydro-electric energy .o supply the ! whole of Taranaki. The league was not iparochial; neither were taffairs coni’ducted entirely by Stratfor? members. A 'lot of the work had feller. <>:\ Stratford •members, but that was because the other (members had not come in when desireu. i The league had never said that New Ply■j mouth must come into one big hoard; but j the league had endeavored io get as much ;as possible of Taranaki ’nto one big (board. He thought that reasonable sup- ■ port had been given the league, but it had not had the whole-hearted support of (Taranaki that had been anticipated when ’the league was formed. It had not had •the support of Taranaki in the matter of pushing-on the Stratford railway—the most important work in New Zealand to-day. If the league were not going to get the support of Taranaki he agreed that it should close up altogether. It if were going to get full support, well and good. Mr. List said that he could not let the remarks of Mr. Stevenson pass unchallenged; even with a big power board formed it would be impossible,to do more than was being done ar present. New Plymouth was anxious to.develop every horsepower that they could, and they were working Air. Stevenson: “So as to get a ratefree town.” Mr. List: “That is not lhe question at all. The price is fixed by the Govern ment. New Plymouth, which should receive the support of lhe league in its (work, was anxious to give Ti.ranald all I the power that could bo generated. Even now they were striving to enlarge the scheme and anticipate the needs of Taranaki in the future. It was in New Plymouth’s own interest to develop the whole of the energy possible. They were not concerned about small or big power board?, i but they were concerned about retaining the management of their schem'e until completion.

Mr. Richards: “Would you oppose a big power board if New Plymouth were eliminated from it ?” Mr. List intimated that personally he was not opposed to one board formed of the outside districts. That was a matter for the districts themselves to determine. BURDEN OF BIG’ BOARD. Mr. Bellringer said that there would be no opposition to a big power board not including New Plymouth. With a big power hoard they were taking on big fia° bilities, and when they formed the big board they would have their hands fulh They would have to take over the electrical power of Hawera and other places, and that would take them twelve months alone. New Plymouth only wanted the power boards to start the ball rolling. They did not want to have the power developed and have to wait while the board was settling up matters with other places. There was no time to form a big board. They could get on quicker with small boards. The only objecction was that of time, and which was most expedient. They desired to go on with a power scheme as soon as it was possible. There was no hope of raising the £212,000 necessary to complete the full scheme immediately, even if it were practicable. Mr. Stevenson said that he had thought that owing to the New Plymouth scheme being a borough scheme they proposed to develop the amount of power necessary for (New Plymouth and in developing surplus power they wanted to have the privilege of picking out portions of Taranaki which would be the most profitable. Mr. List: ‘That is not so.” Mr. Stevenson continued that if New Plymouth wanted to supply the whole of the district without picking out selected portions then New Plymouth would get no opposition from his district.

Air. Bellringer said that when Mr. Birks was in Taranaki he told z <liem every time he was approached to raise all the horse-

i power they possibly could. Mr. Kirkwood said that the argument ( seemed to be on the lines that New Ply- • mouth had the only power available in I Taranaki. „ If one large board were formed j it woul<l be the duty of the board to look for the power. i Mr. List: “The power can be general cd from the Waiwakaiho. Why go elsewhere?” Mr. Kirkwood continued that that power was not sufficient, and he maintained that it was possible to. find power elsewhere in the district. Mr. Richards said that it was mostly a question of speed. If they could get a ! board which would be ready to take the I power it would not be opposed. ! Mr. List: “That is the case.” j Mr. Richards said it was maintained i throughout Hawera that a big board was I the best. WORK FOR. THE LEAGUE. Mr. Masters said that the discussion should serve to bring New Plymouth and the Progress League closer together th .tn before. He would like to see. a conference between the New Plymouth Borough Council and all the bodies interested, and be was quite sure that at a round-the-table conference some arrangement could be come to to get the power throughout I Taranaki as early as possible. He wanted ; to impress upon his hearers that what was ! most important (o Taranaki was good i ■ roads. Only those living there or who 1 bad travelled throughout tlrfe districts knew the bad state of some of the roads in the ; outbacks districts, and he appealed to the league to help those men who were handiI capped by these baH roads. Local bodies were going to have a bad lime for the next twelve months. They were right

“up against it” so far as finances were concerned. -This was one of the phases the Progress League should take up. The league should assist bodies. So far as the survey of the Tangarakau was concerned it could not be. told whether there was cofd or nor. unless it was bored for. Tfie Mims Department had offered a drilling plant to anyone who wished to go out and bore for coal. That they could get coal at Ohuia i was certain. He failed to see why the | Government had not continued the Stratford— Tahora railway. Men had be.m i taken off this lino and placed on lines running through country which could net hold another settler, and he did not understand the Government’s action. He thought that the sooner they had electric power rhe better, and hoped the local bodies would combine with New Plymouth, and that power would be through in about 15 months. Mr. McMillan said he was quite pleased to have had the New Plymouth delegates present. The, meeting should disabuse the minds of the New Plymouth people that the league wanted to steal New Plymouth’s birthright. He knew it was not a good proposition to New Plymouth to develop a large amount of power with nobody to take it up. New Plymouth favored small power boards because they wanted a customer as soon as the power was available. I He could assure New Plymouth that the j big power board would be ready to take the power when il was available. The ; league was to work for the province as a ! whole, and not for any particular part. • He then moved the adoption of the report balance-sheet, which was carried ■ I unanimously. j GENERAL BUSINESS. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr. J. W, McMillan vice- I presidents, Messi's. W. P. Kirkwood. E. Dixon, M.P., and Newton King; executive committee, a representative of each borough council, county council and town board, one representative for dairy companies in. each electoral district, one re-* presentativeln each electoral district for all other bodies in that district. Air. Kirkwood said (hat in connection with the Stratford—Tahora railway he would move as a recommendation to the [ incoming committee that a sub-committee should bo set up to take whatever action was necessary.

Air. List said that ffiis was the most important railway work in New Zealand. When one saw the condition of the count/ and the places which were being developed, one wondered what induced the Government to stop the work on this railway. Air. List also said that he thought it would create greater interest and support in the league if its meetings were held at different towns on the line.