ELECTRIC POWER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7534, 7 May 1903, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER.

T\ rK trust that steps will be taken to arrange that the services oj tho electrical expert the Government are bringing to New Zealand will be available m this district. The cheapest power in the world for the generation of electricitj'-— water power—is available at little cost in this district, &nd it would be a crying shame if its full possibilities were not ascertained at the earliest possible date. Palmerston is so well situated for the establishment of factories and workshops, and there is so nuich room for the settlement of tens ot thousands of people within the borough that the only step necessary to ensure our tmliinited increase of population is the provision of cheap motive-power. That this is possible we are fully convinced, and the surprising fact is that something was not done in this direction long ago. At present the district mainly relies on dairying for its prosperity, but ifc would be better for the farmers, (as well as for the rest of the population, if a market for dairy produ3e were at hand here in the shape of a swarming hive of .industries. The electricity gwould enable cheap tramways Jto be run! from all parts of the district, and the conditions or life would be far more endurable than in the crowded cities for those engaged in the manufacturing industries. The newly-elected Mayor Jand! Councillors have a splendid opportunity before them during the next two years, and we hope that this will be one of the questions they will not overlook.