POWER SUPPLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24104, 24 October 1941, Page 8

POWER SUPPLY

SOUTH ISLAND SURPLUS CABLES UNDER COOK STRAIT SUGGESTION NOT FAVOURED (0.C.) DUNEDIN, Thursday An interesting possibility was raised by Air. E. F. Nieoll, chairman of the Ashburton Electric-Power Board, when he commented a few days ago on remits brought forward at the annual conferonce of the Electrical-Power Boards and .Supply Authorities' Association. "A highly-placed official told me in Wellington," -Mr. Nieoll said, "that he thought tho time would cotno when power would he supplied to the North Island by cables under Cook Strait." No doubt that is looking well into the future, hut Dunedin manufacturers, and probably also those in other South Island centres, regard the forecast with marked disfavour. The president of the Dunedin Manufacturers' Association. .Mr. J. C. M. Somerville, summed up their attitude when he said to-day that there was every opportunity for industry in the South Island, and that it; was only reasonable that with all other things equal industry should come to the power instead of the power being sent to industry. "This suggestion may bo only a surmise of thij future," Mr. Somerville said, "but it is one that will be regarded apprehensively by South Island manufacturers. There is every facility 'that a manufacturer could require right here in Dunedin, and it is only coinmonsense make use of opportunities that are waiting to be taken before attention is given to a scheme of exporting power by cables under Cook Strait. When the South Island's requirements have been fully met and its possibilities adequately exploited it will be ample time to start thinking about sending surplus power to the North Island "