HYDRO-ELECTRIC ENERGY

Otago Witness, Issue 3347, 8 May 1918, Page 37

HYDRO-ELECTRIC ENERGY

THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS. Members of Parliament in tho North Island are looking with a jealous eye upon tho provision already made in the- South Island for tho generation of hydro-electrio power, and apparently view with concern any proposal to extend it. Last session Mr Luke asked the Minister of Public Works whether ho would, before the end of the present session, communicate for public* information the policy and intentions of the Government in regard to the installation of hvdro-electric undertakings for the North Island; and would he make a statement as to what indications there were for successful hvdro-electric schemes being carried out in parts of tho. South Island not at present linked up with any electric supply. Tho Hon. Sir W. Frascr replied that the installation of hydro-electric undertakings in the North Island would involve the expenditure of a very large sum of money, which it was impossible to obtain during the continuance of the present war. The Government was fully alive to the necessity for prosecuting these works when normal times prevailed. It was impossible at present to obtain the necessary electrical equipment for any of these undertakings, and, as there was no hope of obtaining it until some time after the war had concluded, it was premature to discuss the question as to what electrical installations should be gone on with. Mr Jennings asked what steps the National Governme.it had taken lor securing the whole of the water rights of the dominion for furthering economic and scientific developments. It had been stated, he said, that syndicates were now attempting to secure some of these rights." This should be prevented at all costs, and the Government of the country should hold these rights, which, properly handled, would pay the national debt of the dominion if the present amount was quadrupled. Sir W. Fraser replied that section 267 of the Public Works. Act, 1908, provided that subject to all rights lawfully held, the sole right to use water in lakes, falls, rivers, or streams for the purpose of generating or storing electricity or other power was vested in his Majesty the King. Consequently, no one'had the right to use water for any of these purposes unless by permission of the Crown. There had been several applications by syndicates for the right to use water-power in various parts of the dominion, but. with the exception of tho Waihi Gold-mining Company (which pnid a very considerable amount yearly'for the privilege), all these applications had been refused. It was, however, tho practice of the Government, where local authorities icquired power for the purpose of generating electricity for lighting towns and cities, to grant this right without payment; ana in some cases, in crold-mining districts, the warden had granted the right-to private ccmpan'es for the purpose of generating electricity for pumping water for irrigation or mining purposes, and no fee was charged in respect of such right.