PUBLIC WORKS DEBATE

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13906, 3 December 1910, Page 10

PUBLIC WORKS DEBATE

4 THE WATER POWER SCHEMES (ABRIDGED PRESS ASSOCIATION* REPORT.) WELLINGTON, December 2. In the House ot Representatives this morning, the Public Works Statement wr.t> debated, on the motion to go ii»t« Committee of Supply on the PublicWorks Estimate*. Mr Massey said that the most important feature of the Public Works Estimates was the new departure in ccmipction with the development of electrical energy. He considered the scheme, of die Government reckless and i'.a,nt in the extreme. The House had agreed to these proposals without havi<.; sufficient information on the subject. It was possible that the scheme mi;:ht turn out a success, but, on tlie other hand, there was a possibility of failure. The Dominion could not lie compared to America in regard to water power frchcnics, as the latter country had an immense market. The Waipori scheme was the enly one in the Dominion .upon which an opinion could be based. It had not been a successful venture, although there were indications that it might turn out a success. The prospects of the Waihi scheme were, he considered, better than any other of the Government's proposals. He had been reading up the subject lately, and had modified Jiis views. Authorities were of tiie opinion that where electrical energy had to be transmitted great distances, ccat was a cheaper source of electrical energy than water. He quoted figures supplied by authorities from which lie concluded that the schemes were not payable. Unless the local todies were prepared to take their supplies of electrical energy from the State the Government should not go on with the- enterprise. Ho threw doubts on the possibility of making the Kaituna scheme pay, in view of the fact that electrical energy for the supply of Auckland would have to compete with the City Council's steamdeveloped supply. The debate was interrupted l>y the 1 p.m. adjournment. Air Masse y resumed his speech when the House resumed at 2.30 p.m. Ho laid stress on the necessity for constructing the East Coast railway, especially the connecting link with the main line. Sir Joseph Ward replied to Mr Massey's strictures on the water power schemes. He recognised that the undertaking was an important one, calling for the exercise of'eaution. Every such enterprise involved a risk, but if the timid policy counselled "by Mr Massey had been pursued in the past, the Dominion would have had none of its great national services. It was better that the State should undertake the utilisation of water power, rather than the local bodies. The uuvernment could obtain money cheaper, and work under more favourable conditions all round. The Government would undertake the new enterprise with due caution and necessary business prudence. He had had an opportunity of going over the Niagara water power works, ■which had been most successful. Though the population of the Dominion was small, it was commercially active, and he ventured to say that as a result of rfntting one water power scheme into operation, the country would insist on all the proposed systems being carried out. He believed that if the Lake Coleridge scheme wer© put into operation, it would bo such a success that others would quickly follow. Sir Joseph Ward went on to refer to the five million loan, which had been floated on favourable terms. Referring to railway construction. Sir Joseph condemned the suggestion that lines should he carried out in piecemeal fashion; the system now being followed was the sensible one. The cost of railway construction in the Dominion compared favourably with that in other countries. Mr Hemes dealt at some length, with the financial operations of the Government, which in many respects, he considered, were satisfactory, though Tie thought Sir Joseph Ward was too hopeful as to the results of the loan. Mr Wilford gave details of the cost of the- water power scheme for supplying electrical power to Wellington, based on the reports of Mr Holmes, engineer of the Public Works Department, and Mr Richardson, city engineer, which showed that the city could provide two water supply stations, produce energy at a cost of .66 of a penny, provide £4477 yearly for wiping out the total cost, and at the end of 22 years pay for the whole cost of the two stations and machinery, besiues making a profit per annum at the end of five years of £1409, which would increase every year. Messrs Hogg, Luke, Ross and Jennings also spoke. The- debate was interrupted by the dinner adjournment. At the evening sitting, Mr T. E. Taylor, referring to the Lake Coleridge water power scheme, said that full details of the cost had been worked out, and ho had no doubt as to its success if the" Government took it properly in hand. Turning to the State collieries he advised the Minister to personally investigate, the sanitary condition of the mines. The Hon. R. MeKenzie contended that the sanitary arrangements at tho lituianga mine wero as good as any in the Dominion.. The result of the clause inserted in tho Coal Mines Act relating to sanitation would probably be the closing of tho mi no altogether, or an increase in tho cost of the coal. Referring to reading of the back blocks, he said more had been spent during the last twelve months than for many years past. Turning to the water power schemes, he replied to Mr Massev's statements, which he eaid wero unsound. The Lake Coleridge scheme was a thoroughly practicable one. Referring to the Midland Railway, lie said this line, when completed, would be of advantage. This closed the debate, and the House went into Committee of Supply for consideration of tho PUBLIC WORKS ESTIMATES. At class 20, Mr Laurenson moved to reduce the. vote by £1, as an indication that before expending more- money on public buildings the Government should consider the advisability of removing the capital of tho Dominion from \\elThe amendment was negatived by 39 votes to 23. The Estimate!; were still under consideration when the telegraph office closed at 2 a.m.