ELECTRIC POWER.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1920, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER.

AUTHORITY TO SPEND MONEY. POSITION OF LOCAL BODIES. (By Wire.—Parliamentary Eefwrtw). " K Wellington, Last Nftht. Mr. R., Masters (member far Stratford) suggested to the Minilter for Public Works that a " 'special clause shduid be inserted in the Etactrio Power Act enabling local bodied to expend money in securing information as to the prospects of the development of electric power. Some local bodies in Ihe Taranaki district wish to have this power. The Minister has: replied stating that if any concrete cases are quoted in which this power to spend money Ob investigation ' proves desirable, ahd in which it is undesirable to set ttjt an Kleetric Power Board, he will ba glad •to consider them and make provision, but the provisions of the fiitetria Power Boards Act should be fully used before an alternative method is set up. If a district genuinely wants electrio power, adds the Minister, it can and will get it from somo source, either the Government or its own water power or fuel power station. The first atop in this direction is the setting tip Of a Power Board, which has full power to investigate all the problems involved, and to follow up their investigations by constructing the lines or works. The chief electrical engineer has drawn up proposals for the subdivision of the whole Dominion into electric powas districts, and will be glad to dtscuu Mid advise as to the boundaries and the most suitable source of power in. Mich district.