HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Northern Advocate, 21 September 1910, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WATER POWER CONSERVATION,

WELLINGTON, Sept. 21 The House met at 2.30 p.m.

On the motion of Sir J. G. Ward the relating to pastoral runs in Mackejgsie Country were referred to the LSms Committee. : Several amendments to the PubHe Debt Extinction Fund were introduced by Governor's message. The Premier explained that th? amendments were merely in the wording of the bill, and did not affect its provisions as passed. The following amendments wore also introduced by Governor's message:—The appropriation clause in the Crimes Amendment Act. An amendment to the Public Works and Land. Settlement Bill, providing for a a ■additional £500,000, which Sir J. C-. Ward explained, was the amount proposed to be utilised for Avater power conservation. The amendment was introduced in order to avoid having two separate loan bills. Replying to Mr Massey. the premier explained that the bill dealing with water power conservation would be in dependent of the loan bill, and thi House would therefore have an opportunity of discussing, the proposals. After further discussion Sir J. G. Ward said that he would withdraw the amendment, and ask the House the following day to pass the second reading of a bill authorising the expenditure of half a million for wa+er power conservation. Government ha<.'. come to the conclusion that the sooner it stopped private companies from having options over water power rights the better. He would ask tbe House to put all money bills through

at an early.date, so that the Dominion could obtain money at once.

Replying to Mr Fraser, Sir J. G Ward said that loan authorisations were always taken first, as if the money were not.voted it would be useless to proceed with any bill giving effect to proposals involving the expenditure of public money.

Hon. R. McKenzie said that Government had already power under the Act to raise money for water power utilisation. The work in connection with water power would be carried out by the Public Works Department, and it was quite reasonable that the loan should be included in the Public Works Bill. A large majority of people in the Dominon de-nred the scheme to be launched as early as possible. He had had an application the otheday from a member of the House for 10,000 horse power for the manufacture of nitres in the West Coast. Various towns had asked permission to zo in for water power schemes of their own, but Government had to see that the whole market was retained for <-.ie State.

Mr Massey said that not one in a thousand people knew the Government proposals, and not ten per cent of members of the House understood them. It was unfair to ask for authority to raise £500,000 under these circumstances. To make the supply of water power a State monopoly would throttle industry. Sir J. G. Ward said it would be suicidal to allow private enterprise to control this great industry. The discussion at this stage was adjourned. Other amendments introduced by Governor's message were agreed to.