POWER FOR BACKBLOCKS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23445, 27 September 1941, Page 10

POWER FOR BACKBLOCKS

$ MEMBER’S SUGGESTION (P.R.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 26. The development of hydro-electric works in New Zealand for supplying back-country people was urged by Mr W. J. Poison (Opposition, Stratford), during the debate on the Public Works Statement in the House of Representatives to-day. “Seme districts and settlements in New Zealand have no electricity whatever, although in some instances the main lines pass overhead,” Mr Poison said. "I think there should be an extension of the Public Works Department’s activities in this direction. Electricity would be extremely valuable in some of the backcountry districts.” Mr Poison said he knew that the number of public officials in the Dominion was growing and that if the Government continued its policy, they would soon all be State employees; but he considered that instead of all the palaces that were being built all over the country for State departments, the Government should increase its hydroelectric activities and let the back country have some of the advantages enjoyed by those in the cities. The Minister for Public Works (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong): Ninety-four per cent, of the population is supplied with electricity. Mr Poison: There is still 6 per cent, which is not and most of those people are in the back country, The Government should take its courage in its hands and be prepared to spend money in this direction.