ARAPUNI RECONSTRUCTION

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1930, Page 9

ARAPUNI RECONSTRUCTION

PARLIAMENT DEBATES VOTE (EXPERT’S REPORT CRITICISES). HOUSE EMPRESSES CONFIDENCE, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. When the Electric Supply Account was being considered in the. House of Representatives to-night, Mr. J. S. Fletcher asked for an explanation of the note for £170,000 before he would consent to its being passed. The ActingPrime Minister had said that., no plans had yet been prepared for the proposed work at Arapuni. It was. a wrong principle to ask the House, to vote money for work they knew nothing about. ' . ■ iSir Apirana Ngata: ‘.Move for a reduction of the vote by £l.” Mr. Fletcher: “I will because I am not satisfied with the explanation in the report.” He said he would move _a reduction of the vote on the ground •that there was no reasonable guarantee that the scheme would be a success after the suggestions in Professor Hornell’s report had been s carried, out. Mr. H. T. Armstrong eaid the Government would have to be guided by the expert report. There was alieady £2,500,000 sunk in Arapuni and they would have to go ahead with the work. Mr. W. L. Martin said he was prepared to bow to the opinion of the expert, but he suggested the expenditure should be carefully watched. He considered the engineer should be asked to stand to his estimates. Mr. H. E. Holland said he understood the amendment to mean that Mr. I'let--cher wanted the Arapuni work abandoned. If not he should say what he did mean. He did not think any section of the House would- agree to the abandonment of the scheme. There must be further investigation into the matter. The Hon.-W. B. Taverner agreed with Mr. Holland that if the reduction was carried it would mean the House wanted the Government’s programme to be abandoned, and he did not think the House would wish for such a course. He assured the House that no work would be done at Arapuni till complete specifications had been prepared and no money would be spent till the Government was completely satisfied. Referring to the falls at Arapuni the Minister said not one drop of water would be run over till the Government was sure of the position, Mr. P. Fraser proceeded to criticise Professor Hornell’s report, which he characterised as a “Yes-no” scheme. It would have been infinitely better if a committee had been set up to crossexamine Professor Hornell and the Public Works engineers aid thus give, the House much valuable information which it should have.

The motion to reduce the vote was lost on the voices and the vote was carried.