POWER IN RURAL AREAS

Evening Star, Issue 22526, 19 December 1936, Page 17

POWER IN RURAL AREAS

NATIONAL INVESTIGATION PLANNED “ MAXIMUM SUPPLY AT MINIMUM COST " [Pe* United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, December 18. An assurance that an early opportunity would be taken of reviewing the whole basis of electric power supply in hitherto unreticulated rural areas was given to-day by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, when replying to a deputation which sought Government assistance for the reticulation of the Cheviot and Amuri Counties. , “ The time has come when it is necessary to examine the whole question,” Mr Semple stated. “ The problem of supplying power to the other areas is one which must bo tackled effectively, and yre must have a thorough stock-taking. It is obviously of no use adhering to the stereotyped system of supply which has now outlived its usefulness.” The Minister added that he proposed to visit Victoria early next year to investigate the operation of the hydroelectric supply systems there, and he had already taken steps to secure information from experts on the practice of electric supply authorities in Sweden and Japan. “ The Government has £13,000,000 invested in hydro-electric undertakings, and I understond that the total amount invested in electricity in New Zealand is about £30,000,000,” Mr Semple said. “ The commonsense thing _ to do is to give to the taxpayer who is paying Lis share of the cost of these undertakings the benefit of the service. I think we can come to some solution by which we can give a maximum supply at a' minimum cost.”

Mr Semple added that be would discuss the matter raised by_ the deputation with the Chief Electrical Engineer of the Public Works Department (Mr F. T. M. Kissel). His personal impression was that the £20,000 required ought not to stop_ the Government from giving the service to the districts which were seeking it.