ELECTRICITY IN NORTHLAND

Northern Advocate, 30 March 1937, Page 4

ELECTRICITY IN NORTHLAND

The growth of the electrical industry in Britain has a lesson for New Zealand. Last year the output of electrical energy by the ‘"Grid,” which distributes power throughout the country, was 20,220,000,000 units, an increase of 15.1 per cent oyer 1935. It is interesting to coihpare this with the 792',802,909 units generated in New Zealand during 1935-36. When it is remembered that Britain is the home of steam power, and that -the use of electricity for industrial and domestic purposes has only been developed in Britain in comparatively recent years, the growth of output is proof of the popularity and value of electricity. It should ‘spur the people of New Zealand to do everything possible to exploit the great sources of hydroelectricity with which the Dominion is blessed. This is particularly the ease in regard to Northland, which has been compelled to drag behind the remainder of the Dominion so far as the boon provided by electricity is concerned. Whangarei has been fortunate, in that it has enjoyed electricity for the past, twenty years, during which time the output-of power has increased by over 3,000,000 units per annum. The output in the first year was roughly 150,000 units. What this, increased use of electricity has meant to the development of Whangarei is obvioqs. There is now being made an effort to give to the whole of Northland the advantages represented by a supply of electricity. The North Auckland Power Board •is busily engaged reticulating its district, and is already supplying power to a considerable area, while there is about to be elected a board to provide current for the Bay of Islands Power Board district. It is clear that Northland as a whole would be better served by onecontrolling body than by a number, and we think it is time that the local bodies in the territory got together hi conference to investigate the whole position. There would naturally require to be a balancing of interests, but that, we feel, can be done if all the parties concerned determine to take a' long view ''and act for the welfare of the people of Northland as a whole. This is a matter which the North •Auckland Power Board should take into consideration at its next meeting, for it is only uttering a truism to say that the future success of the electricity finder takings in Northland depends upon the solidity of the foundations laid today.