The New Zealand Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1918. HYDRO-ELECTRIC

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10139, 29 November 1918, Page 4

The New Zealand Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1918. HYDRO-ELECTRIC

Hydro-electric was once regarded by superior persons as a new name for the “wild-cat,” ■ beloved of speculation and the terror of finance. That was not ten years ago, what time the Government of Sir Joseph Ward made their proposal to harness the waters of the Dominion. Parliament accepted, and the scheme, being brought into operation at Lake Coleridge, justified itself greatly. A rush of demands for harnessing water followed, threatening every stream in New Zealand. The war stopped that, and now peace having arrived finds the Government ready with a comprchonsivvo scheme. That, next to its great utility, is the best thing about Mr Parry’s masterly report—the best technical report, it may safely bo said, ever presented to the Dominion Parliament.

Mr Parry has reported that three sources can supply the North Island with power for all possible requirements for years to como for an expenditure of nearly seven and a half millions. Lake Coleridge has demonstrated by results of a similar undertaking that this is a paying proposition. The Minister for Public Works has announced the resolution—what we take to bo the resolution of the Government, for the Prime Minister has said that the Cabinet is agreed on the subject—in these words: “The whole sum required should bo voted, as it was useloss to vote small amounts annually.” This is the right principle. It would bo wasting time to regret that other works, notably tho North Island Trunk, were not constructed on that principle. It is enough to say that tho principle has been at last announced on the basis of a sound commercial proposition. Parliament,wo hope, will accept tho proposal without demur and without delay. The element of uncertainty is removed. Tho cost estimate is based (1) on careful surveys, (2) on prices of material and work 12 per cent. above pre-war rates. The details wo may leave to tho report, with tho remark that their arrangement allows the right degree of prudence. For example, nothing could bo better than tho discussion of tho arrangements for future reinforcement of water supplies, and for minimising the hampering effects of shingle accumulations. Lastly; wo have borrowed

for powder and shot; there should bo no difficulty in borrowing for a thing that will pay from the . jump. But ut first wo are not to spend more than £190.000. That raises the question of the immediate starting of tho scheme. The theory on which this proposal for an immediate start rests we have noticed on a, former occasion. But there is no longer any question of it, because tho discussion in the House on tho report disposed of it, the Minister proving that just now it is impossible to do more than tho preliminary work. As ho has promised to get chat going with proper energy and dispatch there is nothing more to bo said. u'o conclude, therefore, by complimenting the Government on facing this groat enterprise in the right spirit; tho spirit which rises superior to tho parochial spirit which lames progress by log-rolling subdivisions. Two facts havo to bo grasped in nil groat policies of progressive enterprise. One is that tho maximum of profit must bo readied in the minimum of time: tho other is its inevitable coroilarvi. that the localities benefiting must take each its turn. Even to those who must wait, tho method is beneficial, for the profits made by those first served must necessarily facilitate tho finance of those who come after, and benefit them by tho experience obtained in the course of construction. Politicians must realise that for the future the extension of public works must be conducted _on reasonable lines, and if their constituents think otherwise, they must, have enough ability and courage to reason them out of their unreasonableness.