ELECTRIC POWER INDIGNATION MEETING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 12 June 1924, Page 8

ELECTRIC POWER INDIGNATION MEETING.

To the Editor of tho “Timaru Herald.” Sir.—l would he glad if, on the eve of the above meeting, you would grant space in your valuaole paper through which medium 1 might bring under tlio notice of your readers one very important point, on the subject matter to bu discussed. The greatest factor towards the success oi tlio future industrial development of our glorious country, is electric power. Lake Tekapo, winch, as we are all qware, is situated in our midst, is capable if fully developed, of producing five hundred thousand horse power. The estimated value of the water power in New Zealand has been placed oil a capital basis ol two hundred million pounds sterling, and of this wealth, the greatest single source is that of Tekapo. Think! In our very midst, is tho greatest unit to wards this two hundred million pounds sterling, that being in the loveliest ol lovely Jukes, Luke lekapo. Tho development ot New Zealand from a prim oval wilderness of dense forest to a stale of high civilisation, and tho position of one of the most prosperous nations of the world, has been accomplished within less than eighty years, and it lias .mt been accomplished by labour alone, but chiefly througtf vision, the ability to see the future and to plan for it. h it has taken less than eighty years to transform a savage country into a wealthy land of flourishing towns and dues, and one ot the first agricultural countries, it is going to take a much shoi ter period to make it an important manufacturing state, as nearly sell c( ntained as possible, and our plentiful sources of hydro-electric energy are ihe certain means whereby this transformation will he brought about. We have the makings of the electric power. Wc possess the minerals and the raw materials for other potential industries, anti it is easily possible that the elders of the present generation will see great factories established in South Canterbury, their wheels turning with the inexhaustible energy ot Lake Tekapo, hundreds of prospering iurm.s, where now there are sheep rims, tho port of Timaru, even now a striking example of wluit vision and energy may accomplish within a few decades, clot eloping into a groat city But lor the optimism and the i'orcsightcdncss of om forefathers, what would New Zealand have been to-dav? May crowds of optimistic and far-sighted ratepayers and residents of South Canterbury gat hot together at ihe, meeting which has been dulv announced through the medium ot ihe’ “Herald,” with, a determination to add to the laurels so nobly earned by the pioneers and lorclatliers ot (foil’s Own Country.—F am, etc., RICHARD NVFDDERSPOOX. f|vdro Grand Hotel, Timaru, ] 0.0.192 L