The Daily News. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1922. THE IRONSAND INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1922. THE IRONSAND INDUSTRY.

It would seem that Messrs. Summerson and Sons, the iron and steel firm, of Darlington, England, have considerable faith in the efficacy of their process for the treatment of Taranaki ironsand when they send to New Zealand one of their principals to negotiate with the Government and the local Borough Council in connection with the establishing of the iron industry in New Plymouth. The process has been simplified, according to Mr. Leggett, and the consumption of electric power will consequently be greatly reduced. This will make it possible for the Borough Council to deal immediately with Mr. Leggett for the supply of power and still keep faith with Inglewood and have surplus power to dispose of to the power board now being formed in central Taranaki. Mr. Leggett’s first proposal, it will be recollected, involved the use of 3000 h.p. Manifestly the council was not. in a position to negotiate for the sale of such a large quantity until the complete scheme, providing 9000 h.p., was under way. If the council can come to terms With the Home fi\m and sell the surplus power to the new power board, it will have no alternative to pushing on with the big scheme. Messrs. Summerson have intimated their willingness to provide capital for the extensions, under certain conditions. If these are satisfactory, work on the big dam could be proceeded with as soon as the present, work is completed, for there will not be any difficulty in finding purchasers for all the power that can be generated. -Apart from that, however, it is the duty of the town to develop the hydro-electric resources; if it fails then control of the works will inevitably pass out of ’the hands of New Plymouth. The English firm obviously believe in the ability of the town to supply its needs as well as in the success of their process, and are prepared to pay a reasonable price for the power. The price mentioned some time ago was such that the council could not be expected to entertain it, however desirous it may have been to see such, a promising industry started in the town. Naturally the firm will be desirous of obtaining it at the lowest possible figure, and the coun-» e.il will be justified in meeting Messrs. Summerson in every way it can, even to agreeing to sell the power at a price not admitting of a. profit. The indirect advantages would compensate the council for any loss of profit thus sustained. The industry would give employment to a large number of men, who, in turn, would require current in their homes. A successful iron industry would mean the establishing of subsidiary and allied industries, all requiring power. I Cheap hydro-eleetrieity has made Christchurch the chief manufacturing centre of New Zealand to-

day, notwithstanding the handicap of the tunnel and railway charges. Cheap power will also ma,ke New Plymouth an important manufacturing centre. It has the additional advantage of a deep water port at its very doors; besides an abundant supply of fresh water and healthy surroundings, all factors that are taken into consideration by manufacturers when seeking a locality for their works. The council, therefore, should not take a short and narrow view of any proposition put forward by Mr. Leggett; they would be justified in taking a long and broad view of it. In turn we trust the English ironmaster will take the council fully into his confidence and put before it a practicable proposal. If this is done, and the council approach the matter in the way ratepayers would desire them to, we believe an agreement mutually satisfactory will be arrived at.