ARAPUNI SCHEME

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 135, 5 December 1930, Page 11

ARAPUNI SCHEME

POLITICAL INACTION

MR. COATES'S CRITICISM

(By Teleßraph— Press Aasociatidn.) AUCKLAND, 4th December. The Government's action or inaction regarding .Arapuni surely called for some very elea/. declaration on its part, said-tho Leader of the Opposition (the Eight Hon. J. G. Coates) in a speech at Whangarci to-night. Mr. Coates said ho was curious. at the apathy of the public concerning the peculiar attitude of tho Government to tho Arapuni project. The delay might bo tho result of political prejudice, said Mr. Coates. for all must remember that certain members of Parliament and . others, used the Occurrence at Arapuni "as a political weapon, and their castigations were levelled against the previous Administration and himself in particular. Since June there had been a minute inquiry into all phases of the possible causes,- both geological and engineering. Professor Hornell's opinion was sufficient to confound not only the political critics, but also some of the engineering critics, and, furtherj it clearly showed the economic advantages of the scheme. . Mr. Coates said.he believed that if the Public Works engineers had been testructed to proceed with repairs soon after the stoppage, Arapuni would long ago have been sending out thousands of kilowats of energy at less cost to users" than the. present charges, and ultimately at a cost incomparable with any other sourco of supply^ FRANK STATEMENT CALLED FOR. "But apart from my views, surely the political inaction apparently pursued calls for a frank statement by tho Government," said Mr. Coates. "Why the necessity ,for a model of tho suggested remedial measures? Is this model now being prepared in or : dor that Ministers of the Crown may clearly grasp the proposals for the repair work? I am sure- my honourable friond the Minister of Public Works would himself requiro no such demonstration. A few blue prints and esti-. mates of quantities and costs would be .sufficient for. him to decide* and he could ask for. more information if ho deemed Professor Hornell's or, tho Department's proposals unsatisfactory. "The Arapuui stoppage has-necessi-tated tho provision of a large amount of capital by 'the Auckland Electric Power Board to meet immediate requirements. In addition, there is the Government's proposals to install a steam plant at Huntly. All this capital expenditure must eventually be carried by the hydro-electric undertaking at Arapuni."' ; Mr. Coates said he regretted that tho Government did not set up the Eoyal Commission that he had asked for to go into all matters connected with Arapuni since the scheme was first suggested. That course he had earnestly wished for, and had it been followed lie believed that Arapuni would be now providing the industries of 'Auckland provinco with energy. "No one can say that there has not been-tiresome delay, and it is high time the question was settled," Mr. Coates added. "The Government must bo frank, and I am. sure the public would be interested to learn the views of the Department."