The Ohinemuri Gazette. AND UPPER THAMES WARDEN WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1896.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume VII, Issue 277, 30 September 1896, Page 2

The Ohinemuri Gazette. AND UPPER THAMES WARDEN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1896.

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Lx the House on Friday Electeic last on the motion for the Motive second reading of the Power. Electrical Motive Power Bill, the Premier said that applications had been! (made by a Syndicate, (we pi-esume he referred to Mr J. C. Firth), to secure the rights of motive poAver of different waterfalls in the colony for electric power purposes, and this Bill was designed to prevent these rights beiug obtained by any private individuals. In- his opinion the State should retain tjiiese rights to itself. The motion for the second hearing was, agreed to on the voices, and almost without debate. The Thames Star has an article on the action of the Government in this matter from which, we make the following extract:—" The alternatives which confronted the ; Government were two: Either they must pass a measure to prevent private persons obtaining rights to waterfalls in the colony for electrical purposes, and to establish a State monopoly; or they must pass a general Act, applying to the whole colony, which will enable private individuals or syndicates to obtain the necessary rights for the generation of electric power. The Government have chosen the former — they have chosen State monopoly as against private enterprise. But there must:be no shuffling with the State Monopoly Bill- If, .towards the end of the session—when it is top late to have recourse to the second alternative— -rTiri, 'Tl.n-n-TTT... i t f, ,1 t1 U jjjj.,,iMirr7l COIU- J polled to; abandon" the measure of their own creation, then "they will have simply emulated jfche dog in the manger, and will have dealt the mining industry a blow which the electors will not fail to feel—and feel keenly. If the Government are sincere in their intentions—and we have .rid doubt that they are—the present measure will be pressed forward, with all vigilance, and a substantial vote will be duly forthcoming. That is the only way in which the State can prove if--self properly equal to the duties which it has assumed, and it is just as well to clearly and definitely lay down the nature of |the responsibility which the Government have ,self-imposed. One thing is certain-r—we must- have something this session; it will bo at least two years before the necessary works for electrical .transmission can be brought into operation,- and the mining industry cannot afford to lose a twelve-month through the incapacity or selfishness of anyone—whether administration or individual. And,, finally, the money must be to hand at once." . •