DEVELOPING WATER POWER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17268, 18 September 1919, Page 8

DEVELOPING WATER POWER.

PROMPT ACTION ADVOCATED.

The grave situation arising .out of the present shortage of coal was reviewed by the president of the Auckland Provincial Employers' Association, Mr. Albert Spencer, at the annual meeting of that body yesterday afternoon. The whole outlook was so serious and so drastic in its effects, that something must bo done without further delay in securing the help and co-operation of employers and employees. Industries and public services were all threatened with stoppage unless coal was obtained in necessary quantities. It was very fortunate that the owners had three coal vessels of their own, manned by New Zealand crews, and engaged between here and Australia, otherwise the position would be far more critical. As these ships could only bring one-tenth of the usual supplies from Newcastle, however, the position there was at present very unsatisfactory. The Dominion had running to waste tens of thousands of horse-power waiting to be developed. He congratulated the Government on securing the Horahora plant from the Waihi Company. This was only a small fraction of what was required, however. It would be abso.oed before it reached Auckland. A great saving of coal would be effected if sufficient waterpower was developed. The suburban railways could then be run by electricity and industries would go ahead by leaps' and bounds. The benzine saved would be enormous, and money which went out to foreign countries could be saved to develop New Zealand's natural resources Mr. Spencer Mid he was certain that if £10.000,000 was spent in developing New Zealand's water-power it would be money well spent and be returned tenfold