HYDRO-ELECTRICITY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 256, 12 October 1932, Page 7

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY

ADVANCEMENT OF THE COUNTRY MB. COATES’S ADDRESS TO POWER BOARD’S EXECUTIVE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Oct. 12. The executive of the Power Board’s Association met to-day, Mr. Nash, M.P., presiding. In his address, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates said that New Zealand was not out of the woods yet. However, it was encouraging to note the return of confidence in the trading community. He referred to the results attained at Ottawa as a remarkable move forward in Empire organisation; nevertheless, internal economies and adjustment of costs in conformity with the price level were still responsibilities to be shouldered by the Government and the community generally. It was perfectly true, he said, that the cost of hydro undertakings was exceedingly high in the light of the existing price level, but it was the cost of the times they were decided upon. No doubt many felt it would have been more prudent not to bpend money ou them, but enterprise and confidence in the future, which was at the back of the undertakes, had kept the Dominion going. The consensus of opinion among those interested in the advancement of the country was definitely in favour of hydro-electricity. Speaking of the agricultural industry, Mr Coates expressed the opinion that the supply f power already provided was not in excess of the demand. The advantage of State development of the sources of supply was that the community generally would benefit.