HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1921, Page 5

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY. THE COMMERCIAL ASPECT. DIFFICULTY OF FINANCE. By Telegraph—Press Association, Auckland, Last Night. A deputation from the Hydro-electric League waited upon the Hon. J. G. Coates to-day to emphasise the need for power throughout the province and to offer the assistance of the league in whatever way it might be used for the speedy development of the Arapuni supply. The deputation was one of the largest and. most representative for a long time, the majority of the local bodies of the metropolitan area and the commercial and industrial organisations of the city having members present.

Mr. Coates said they all Realised the need for cheap power; cheapness of current was a vital factor. These schemes were of national importance, but the commercial aspect had to be considered. They should rest on a sound foundation and pay their way without being assisted unduly •by the State. Referring to authorities for power schemes Mr. Coates reminded his hearers that authorities did not mean money. In regard to the Hora Hora plant he said that at night there was a load going to waste and he proposed to offer this surplus, amounting to 1500 or 2000 horse power, to this district for general use. In passing he referred to the possibility of the local authority .arranging to “feed in” to the line from Hora Hora power generated at Huntly. It would be cheaper to carry current than to carry coal. This, however, was merely his opinion; the question was one for the Auckland people to decide. The department already had poles for the line at the various stations, and was importing copper wire and insulators. “Now we come to the question of finance,” proceeded the Minister, “and you. want me to find £1,377.000.” (Smiles from the deputation). “I have already said that before I can make a start, with the exception of pottering work, finance must be secured, so that the department may be in a position to see the project through in five years from the time the work is commenced. That, is still the position.” Until Mr. Massey returned he would be unable to say how the financial position was. Money could be got at a price. Some people said: “Do not worry about the cost, get the work done.” He did not doubt that the contractors would be willing to find the money at 6 per cent., but if that were done the contractors would “take it out of them” in another way. It would be far better to wait until the country could find the money. It was his humble opinion that the country should do the work. He was not going to be hustled off his feet; he was going to try to keep calm and carry through the scheme on commercial lines. He realised that nowhere else in New Zealand were there such possibilities for the use of hydro-electric power, nor where there would be such a demand for power.

Replying to a question as to whether the. Government would consider granting a concession to anyone prepared to develop the whole scheme, the Minister indicated that while the Government would consider any proposal for the development of power he would not be in |favoi' of concessions to private capital.