LESSONS FOE NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18496, 5 September 1923, Page 8

LESSONS FOE NEW ZEALAND.

The Public Works Department is interesting itself in new applications of electric power to farm work. This is a commendable move, with possibilities of increasing the demand for current, and of adding to agricultural efficiency. The development latest mentioned, electric ploughing, is a novel one to most people in New Zealand, and cannot be very common, since the search for information goes as far afield as to Sweden. That country, however, can teach New Zealand much about the use of electric power, apart from its utilisation to drive the plough. Sweden is one of the most richly-endowed countries in the world in natural sources of electricity. The development began over 30 years ago. The amount of energy available is calculated at some 6,000,000 to 10,000,000 horsepower. Tho water power installed amounts to about 1,250,000 h.p. Even with this amount of development, of the total installed horsepower in industry 72 per cent, is electrical. In agriculture about 50 per cent, of the areas under cultivation are covered by power reticulation. All this has been achieved i by a country not considered in the j first rank commercially, industrially or financially. Nature has not done everything for Sweden. The greater number of power sources are in the far northern districts, while the majority of the consumers are to be found in the more thickly | populated south. Loner transmission lines are necessary. The difficulties have been overcome, and development proceeds. The beneficial results in industry and culture, and the vigour displayed in utilising water-nower should be a lesson to New Zealand in the utilisation of a rich natural endowment.