PROGRESSIVE JAPS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17031, 3 May 1923, Page 7

PROGRESSIVE JAPS.

USE OF HYDRO-ELECTRICITY Mr E. \ . Panelli, in a recent number of the “ Trans-Pacific,” points out that “ probably no country in the world is converting potential water, power into electrical energy at so great a rate as is Japan. A total of about 800.000 horse power has already been developed, and construction i.s proceednig at a number of different locations, aggregating at least as much again, so that in a. short time Japan will be using 1,000,000 horse nower, the product of natural water resources. Up to the present time the Dominion of Canada with one horse-power developed for every four units of the population, has made extensive use of this source of energy, but it will be seen from the above figures that Japan may reasonably be expected to overstep this figure in the near future, and become the foremost consumer of energy from water power. One other significant fact: It requires an average of eight tons of coal to produce one horsepower for one year. No less than 13.000,000 tons of fuel will be conserved annually by the present water programme of Japan when it is fully com. pie ted.” The above figures are interesting for comparison with the corresponding figures for New Zealand. According to the Public Works Statement for last year the power then developed in the Dominion was only one horse-power for every sixteen head of population. There is thus plenty of room for growth before the New Zealand development compares with that of either Canada or Japan. The Government scheme as set otit by Mr Parry is based on a demand of one horse-power to every five head of population.