WATER POWER REGULATIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6870, 14 July 1909, Page 6

WATER POWER REGULATIONS

Apparently the article oh water power regulations published in the “ Now Zealand Times ” of Tuesday last has '.caused considerable annoyance to the '[individuals in Westland who had been 'counting upon appropriating a river to ■■some concession-mongering project 'without having to make the Stats adequate recompense for the privilege. Ono of the newspapers published at Hokitika makes a fine pretence of indignation about the attitude which ithis paper has taken up. But what we contended last week, and see no reason for withdrawing now, is that any person or persons who lay claim to the use of a river cannot bo considered bona-fide if they object to furnish plans of the works they propose to ca*ry out and object to pay for the water power they expect to be allowed to use. This is the essence of the whole business. It is entirely evaded by the Westland critics of the new regulations, and, it will have been observed, riot referred to in Specific terms by Mr T. Soddou* M.P-, whose letter on the subject appeared in a recent issue. Will Mr Seddon tell us in plain terms what reasonable objection there can be td claimants qf water power being called upon to guarantee that they propose to engage in genuine industry as distinct from hawking concessions about for sale, or, in other words, trafficking in the country's assets? The “West Coast Times" asserts'that “promoters are* willing to liaise £150,000" to work certain terraces at Ilimu (if they are permitted to get to leeward, of the new regulations) by utilising the To Aroha river water for generating hydro-electricity. This is very vague and quite unimpressive. It would assist matters very much if the promoters of this- scheme would come into the daylight in order that the country might have a look afc them; It would be a great relief in these days when we Hear So much about - money being “ tight" to contemplate individuals who have so much faith in alluvial mining and have such well-filled money-bags as to be ready to sink £150,000 in this proposition:. If we knew who these persons were, and had a full and precise account Of the proceedings antecedent to the formation of the syndicate, which now seems to have been driven ,to distraction by a simple demand for a little prospective cash arid a few details, it would be possible to discuss the matter froin quite another point of viery.* New Zealand will welcome men with capital who wish to operate in the open on a definite basis under which State rights are strictly conserved, Bona fide schemes' for the development of our resources will/ we are certain, receive the most’ generous consideration from the State. Speculators who take risks are entitled to liberal treatment arid to considerable profits. But there are speculators and speculators. As to the legitimacy of the Mines Department- insisting on knowing- what people who wish to appropriate rivers propose to do with them there can Be no room for two opinions. In the meantime, the public is invited to. , regard with amused scepticism the reports from Westland of “meetings of indignant miners in protest against these insufferable water regulations.” Indignation is & volatile commodity which is p apt to hurst the bottle in the hands of an impulsive West Coast journalist.