POWER SUPPLY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 164, 13 July 1945, Page 7

POWER SUPPLY

REPLY TO CRITICS

PREDECESSORS CHARGED

Parliamentary Reporter. WELLINGTON,, this day. Producing graphs and ' plans in support of his contentions, the Minister of Works, Mr. Semple, speaking in the Address-in-Reply debate in the House of Representatives last night, vigorously replied to criticism of the present hydro-electric power position in New Zealand. Mr. Semple said that the National Expenditure Commission in 1932 reported that it was definitely of the opinion that the present state of hydro-electric development was sufficient for the Dominion's needs for many years to come, and he quoted from another report made in 1936 expressing similar views. But, continued Mr. Semple, despite the advice of his predecessors that there was no need for further development his Government has gone ahead with the job. His objection to criticism levelled against him, his Department and the Government was that it was based upon what could have been done in times of peace. The difficulties that had had to be encountered since 1939 had been tremendous. However, whereas in 1936 120,000 kilowatts had been generated.. this year the figure was 300,000, an increase of 150 per cent in nine years.

"A Suicide Job"

The Minister also dealt with the criticism of his postponement of the upper development scheme at Lake Waikaremoana. He said he took that responsibility, and had no apology to make to any engineer or geologist for having done so. He would challenge the Opposition and those who had criticised him for postponing the scheme to appoint a group of engineers and geologists, and he would go before the group and undertake to prove that they would agree with him that what he had done was 100 per cent correct. Immediately upon nis appointment he visited the work and came to the conclusion it was a suicide job. Mr. W. S. Gooseman (Nat., Waikato) said the Minister had lacked foresight and the result was a loss of power. The power boards had been progressive and had reticulated the country and had made great headway. He contended that control of production of power should be removed from Ministerial control and placed in the hands of a commission who could manage it and keep up with the demand.