"AMATEUR CRITICS."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20098, 8 November 1928, Page 13

"AMATEUR CRITICS."

MANGAHAO POWER SCHEME.

MR. COATES DEFENDS PROJECT

PART OF VAST UNDERTAKING

[llY TEI.EUR AI'H. — OWN' (III! II EMM I.NPEN J', j IjF.VIX, Wednesday.

Vigorous reply to the criticism which has been levelled at the Mangaliao hydroelectric power schemo was made by the Prime Minister. Mr. (.'nates, at Shannon today

"I say definitely that criticism of Manguhao is coming from people who are not competent to criticise the project," the Prime Minister said. "They do not realise why Mangaliao was laid out. ll is part of the scheme which takes in the Arapuni and Waikaremoana hydro-electric undertaking. It was necessary to have a feeder service at tliu southern end of the island to drive power to Wellington, the Manawatu and tho Wairarapa, and a decision • had to bo made as to which stream should be used, the Mangaliao or tho Hut t. From a feeder point of vi,e\v then; was no doubt the Mangaliao was the best."

Mr. Coales said the estimates for the work were pieparcd during the war, and like most estimates of that period they did not cover the costs of post-war construction. It hail to be remembered that when electricity was sent over long distances there wore losses of current, and when the losses exceeded 17 per cent, the transmission ceased to be profitable. Mangaliao was never intended to bo a profit-earning scheme by itself. It was a feeder station, but in tho year before last it earned 3 per cent., and it appeared that it would earn 5 to 7 per cent, before very long. "Mangaliao will stand the closest examination by competent men, but no scheme will stand the amateur criticism of politicians or of engineers who, while they have the diplomas, are unreliable," continued the Prime Minister. "1 know some of thoso engineers will go any length to get their own way. 1 know some of them would not stop at 'graft.' We will not stand that They are putting their interests beloru those of the public. We say the public interest is paramount." Mr. Coates said it the standard rates for power at present being charged remained, in 1940 the Dominion would have, after paying interest and sinking-fund charges, an annual revenue of £7.000,000 to £8,000,000 from State hydro-electric enterprises. 'J his would bo sufficient to pay the total liabilities in that respect to-day. RECORD OF REFORM. "EVERYTHING BETTERED." CAMPAIGN OF &IR. POTTER. " Everything has been increased and bettered under the Reform Government during the past 16 years." said Mr. V. H. Potter, Reform candidate for Eden, addressing a large gathering in the Congregational Hall, View Road, Mount Eden, last evening. A small group of interjectors was active. Dealing with the national debt, Mr. Potter said not one of their opponents would dare to say that the Reform Government had squandered money. A Voice: What about the £7.500.000 for returned soldiers. "The money spent in that direction was worth it." replied Mr. Potter. "If is right should have given tliern a sporting chance." (Applause.) Replying to an insistent interjector, the candidate said he was qu'.tf prepared to allow him to como on to tho platform to tell tho people all ho knew, and that would not take fivo minutes. (Laughter.) Dealing with the prosperity of the land, Mr. Potter said there were over 27.000.000 sheep in New Zealand to-day, this being tho sixth largest sheep flock in the world. The fanning community was keeping the country going. Referring to unemployment, he said the trouble was not due to the Government's immigration policy, but primarily to the big strike in Great Britain. The candidate also dealt with taxation, stating income tax in the Dominion was j the lowest in any part of the British ! Empire. Tn Australia it was twice as j much, and in Great Britain three times I as much. The candidate answered a number of 1 questions, n vote of confidence, being carlied bv a large majority. NO INTERJECTIONS. . RECORD TAUPIRI MEETING. The largest political meeting ever held at Taupiri was addressed by Mr. Stewart Reid, Reform candidate for Waikato, last evening, Mr. A. 11. Harding presiding. Over 100 people were present. Tho meeting was singularly quiet, there being no interjections and very few ques- j tions. j A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was accorded the candidate.