ELECTRIC POWER SHORTAGE

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27639, 21 April 1955, Page 12

ELECTRIC POWER SHORTAGE

Remedies Discussed By M.P.’s HURUNUI RIVER POTENTIAL [By Our Parliamentary Reporter] WELLINGTON, April 20. The possibilities of the Hurunui river ’ for hydro-electric development and also for irrigation in North Canterbury were discussed during a debate on power at question time in the House of Representatives today. The shortage of power in the South Island and the early imposition of cuts this autumn in Christchurch were also discussed.

Mr N. King,(Opposition, Waitemata) said that the people wanted details of the report submitted in 1952 by Mr H. J. London about the building of a fuel station. Which sections of the report were embarrassing to the Govern-

“I can’t understand the reason for the long delay in publication of the report,” said Mr J. Mathison (Opposition, Avon). The time had arrived when the people were entitled to know the Government’s intentions. The electrical supply situation in New Zealand was getting worse every year. Mr Mathison suggested that the Minister did not understand the problems of the South Island; otherwise he would not have “knocked” the Braeburn scheme, or at least he would have advised the people of the affected districts of economic alternatives earlier.

Christchurch people were rationed for power now. This was the first time Christchurch had Suffered power cuts at the present time of year. Steam plants could have been in operation three years ago. Mr W. J. Scott (Government, Rodney) suggested that the crocodile tears contributed by members of the Opposition in the debate coUld have added materially to the lake levels. The people of Nelson and Marlborough had been promised a scheme of their own. Other Possible Schemes Mr R. M. Macfarlane (Opposition, Christchurch Central) said that no sooner was the election over than the Government said it had thoroughly examined the Braeburn proposal and decided to scrap it. Roxburgh would haVe to cater not only for the estimated grid area of the South Island but also for those districts from which the Government was extracting something it had promised. He asked whether the Government' had any further major scheme for hydro-electric development. The Minister in charge of the State Hydro-electric Department (Mr W. S. Goosman): Black Jack’s Point. Possibilities for hydro-electric development existed in the Hurunui and other North Canterbury rivers, said Mr Macfarlane. Were the possibilities being considered? Mr Goosman: They are. Mr C. F. Skinner (Opposition, Buller): Not before time, either.

Mr R. G. Gerard (Government, Ashburton) said he believed there was a case for looking at the Hurunui’s possibilities In the South Island most of the power schemes looked to northerly winds to assist the catchment areas. There would be a power shortage in the south because there was no snow on the i mountains at present. The Governmej t was planning to meet the emergency

The South Island was concerned with the power outlook, said Mr W. H. Gillespie (Government, Hurunui). In the last five years the Government had taken steps to bring about extra storage of water so that the supply might be adequate until Roxburgh was brought into operation. The question of the development of power from the Hurunui river had been close to his heart for years. The Hurunui was one of the few rivers with a more or less constant supply of water, and he was hopeful that the conditions would provide not only power, but irrigation in the area. It was likely that months would be clipped off the estimate of February. 1957, for power from Roxburgh. That was good news, because it meant that the coming winter would be the last in which the South Island would have to power shortages. The following winter the stations would be able to use water with the full understanding that Roxburgh would come into operation. Mr Gssrrin Replies

Replying. M goosman said that when Li’boi ■. in office £34,000,000 wps srm on hydro-electricity, and in tlie five years the Government had spent £60,000,000. Mr J. B. Kent (Opposition, Westland): It is not what you spend, but what you get for it. The expenditure in the South Island had been: Cobb, £3,957,000; Tekapo, £3,575,000; and Roxburgh, £14,507,000. said Mr Goosman. Difficulties both with shortage' of rain and manpower had been experienced in both islands. All the resources of fuel, including gas, had to be preserved. Mr Mathison: What an admission of failure.

If another scheme was begun in the South Island after Roxburgh—and Black Jack’s Point had been investigated and found to be the cheapest—the whole of the power requirements for the next 20 years would be provided, said Mr Goosman. Discussing distribution and rates, he said that Christchurch and Wellington were the cheapest areas, and just outside them were very expensive areas. He agreed with Mr P. N. Holloway (Opposition, Heretaunga) that the distribution and tariffs were wrong. The London report, he added, wquld be issued next week. “We are desperately worried over the power shortage,” said the Post-master-General (Mr T. P. Shand). “If anybody ignores it he is burying his head in the sand.” Mr H. R. Lake (Government, Lyttelton) said that the power situation in the South Island this year might be difficult. Mr Mathison: May? It is.