ELECTRIC POWER FOR NORTH ISLAND

Southland Times, Issue 24574, 24 October 1941, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER FOR NORTH ISLAND

POSSIBILITY OF CABLE UNDER STRAIT (Special) DUNEDIN, October 23. An interesting possibility was raised by Mr E. F. Nicoll, chairman of the Ashburton Electric Power’ Board, when he commented a few days ago on the remits brought forward at the annual conference of the Electrical PowerBoards and Supply Authorities’ Association. “A highly placed official told me in Wellington,” Mr Nicoll said, “that he thought the time would come when power would be supplied to the North Island by cables under Cook Strait.” No doubt that is looking well into the future, but 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. H. Somerville, summed up their attitude when he said today that there was every opportunity for industry in the South Island, and that it was only reasonable that, with all othei- things equal, industry should come to the power instead of the power being sent to industry. “This suggestion may be only a surmise of the future,” he said, “but it is one that will be regarded apprehensively by South Island manufacturers. There is every facility that the manufacturer could require right here in Dunedin, and it is only common sense to make use of the opportunities that are awaiting 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.”