The Northern Advocate "NORTHLAND FIRST." Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 1944. DOMINION’S ELECTRICITY PROBLEM.

Northern Advocate, 15 March 1944, Page 2

The Northern Advocate "NORTHLAND FIRST." Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 1944. DOMINION’S ELECTRICITY PROBLEM.

T HERE is every indication that the Dominion’s supply of electric power will not meet demand in the near future. This is due to two reasons. The first is the tremendous increase in the use of power, and the second is the inadequacy of plant to meet the requirement's of the country. These are surely sufficient reasons for a state of affairs admittedly unwelcome.

There seems to be a disposition to indulge in recrimination regarding responsibility for the situation that has developed. That is a matter for* regret. The all important matter is to make the most of existing circumstances and, as far as is possible, expedite the acquirement of additional plant. This is clearly a difficult task in time of war, but there is little doubt that a spirit of co-operation between the Works Department and all actively engaged in the administration 1 of electrical supply in tlie Dominion would do more than acrimonious debate to procure a remedy for the existing shortage.

Tt is evident that careful scrutiny of the whole question of the Dominion’s provision of electricity is required. There need be no fear of an electricity famine if available sources of power in both the North Island and the South Island are effectively harnessed. That harnessing, of course, will be a costly matter, but, as an investment for the development of New Zealand industrially and domestically, it will be of a gilt-edged character. Just now, the problem is how best to utilise power sources that have been harnessed and to continue to do sc> while development of other sources is under way. That is a matter which calls for technical knowledge and business acumen in order that there shall be no stampeding of the country into unduly costly methods of meeting an emergency, or, on the other hand, adopting a policy of taihoa.

There may be necessitated changes in policy once regarded as sound and permanent in character. For instance, there was at one time a strong belief that no local hydro-electric schemes should be constructed in opposition to State undertakings. In those days a hydro scheme such as Mangahao, in the North Island, was regarded as an ambitious undertaking which would require careful nursing in order to avoid financial loss. Consequently, schemes for the provision of power for local bodies were frowned upon and disallowed. There are several illustrations of this on record.

Today there is increasing a realisation that the prohibition of small schemes was a mistake. Admittedly big schemes are more economic—when everything is going well—but there are conceivable occasions when even more costly generated electricity would be welcomed as supplementary to big power plants which were put out of action or had become overburdened. This is a matter of policy which requires the sympathetic consideration of all who are in a position to express worthwhile opinions. It should never be forgotten that the concentration of hydro scheme's in a locality which in years gone by was not immune from seismic disturbances is akin to placing all one’s eggs in one basket. Therefore, although cheap power will be generated by the harnessing of the Waikato at various points, including the great Karapiro scheme, which will no doubt be given priority of public works, in view of its immense possibilities, it is open to question whether there should not proceed simultaneously the development of small local schemes where such can be established with reasonable success.

These things, of course, cannot be done hurriedly, but it is of the highest importance that they should be given thought before any real need for them arrives. There is also need for consideration of the installation of steam or other auxiliary plant when such is obtainable. We have no doubt all these questions have been discussed by the electrical engineers who constitute advisory committees throughout the Dominion. As a matter of fact, the reports of the recent conferences point to this. However, the public is not given access to all discussions, and the man in the street may be pardoned if he is somewhat confused by the contradictory arguments made with, heat by various authorities. There is need for the fullest publicity consistent with national security and the effective transaction of business deals.