OUR WATERWAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 214, 8 September 1921, Page 3

OUR WATERWAYS.

AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE. FOR SPEEDIER PROGRESS. A discussion concerning the rate of development of New Zealand's hydroelectric resources arose at a meeting of the council of the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce. Mr. A. Leigh Hunt moved as follows: — 'That in view of the finance outlook, unrent necessity for obtaining possible data, and the considerable delay that must apparently ensue if the whole matter is to be left solely to the State, the Government be urged to offer every encouragempnt and facility for private enterprise to develop the various unharnessed sources of power, provided always: (1) That equitable conditions be secured for the State to acquire such enterprises at any future time should it be in the interest of the Dominion to do so. (2) That each and every scheme should lie approved by the ciiief electrical engineer of the Public Works Department as on lines that will fully co-ordinate with those being undertaken by the State." THE GOVERNMENT STROKE. Mr. Hunt said his object was that they recognised that the work was slow, not only on account of the financial stringency, but aleo on account of the Government stroke. The slow rate oi ■progress was given an idea of in this statement by the Minister: "The work should not be commenced until sufficient financial provision was assured to commence and complete the job in the shortest reasonable time. The work should be done in five years. If spread over ten years, interest at 6 per cent (compound) will amount to £666,545, as against £337,528 for five years on the capital involved. Any delay in carrying out the work should be now, and certainly not after the work was started." AN AGE OF HIGH WAGES. Mr. Hunt said we were told by visitors from abroad that "ive had a tremendous national asset in our rivers, and some of us were hoping to live long enough to see them developed. At the presentrate a good many of us were wondering if we would live a sufficient length of time to see these waters developed. We were living in an age of high wages, and it seemed to him that if wages were to be maintained cheap power must be obtained to develop industry. Coal as an aid to cheap power seemed impossible. The development of hydro-electricity would be an excellent thing where immigration was concerned. The Government ought to realise thnt if they could not make the best use of the water-power of the country opportunity should be given to people with capital inside and outside the country to develop these assets. Opportunity should be . given even to American enterprises to come in and develop our resources. There would have to be proper safeguards, of course. Mr. F. Castle seconded the motion. "DANGEROUS GROUND." Mr. H. S. Hart thought the Government was prosecuting the work fairly vigorously, taking into consideration the present position. It might be unwise t» give the Government the idea that thechamber was cavilling at the rate of progress. Mr. L. A. Edwards expressed the opinion that the mover of the motion was treading dangerous ground. If the Government had to call a halt the reason would be financial stringency, and that would also hamper private enterprise. Private persons might demand a greater toll than the State would. If we allowed private people to come in we might find in future yeare that we had placed upon ourselves a burden we had no right to accept. He did not think anyone fairly could accuse the Government of going slow on hydro-electrical matters. If financial affairs retarded progress we would have to put up with that. Mr. i Hunt said he had no fear of private enterprise. The State could be amply safeguarded, and by private enterprise greater efficiency and better service at less cost would be obtained. To develop these resourcee would be a means of wiping out our big war debt, and would revolutionise New Zealand. The motion was carried.