ARAPUNI STOPPAGE

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2424, 6 December 1930, Page 4

ARAPUNI STOPPAGE

HON. MB. COATES' CRITICISM. CANDID STATEMENTS. By Telegraph—Press Association. "•. WHANGAREI, Dec. 5. Speaking at Whangarei last night, . the Hon. J. G. Coates (Leader of the Opposition) expressed the opinion that Arapuni hydro-electric station would have been functioning some time ago if repairs had been effected promptly; > "I believe,".said Mr Coates, "that if the engineers of the Public Works Department had been instructed to proceed with repairs soon after the stoppage, Arapuni would long ago w have been sending out thousands of kilowatts of energy at less cost to the users than the present charges, and, ultimately, at a cost incomparable with "any other source of supply. The longer the delay in effecting repairs the greater will be the dead-weight. But, apart from my views', surely the policy of inaction apparently being pursueel calls for a frank statement by the Government." Mr Coates said that he regretted that the Government did not set up tho Royal Commission that he had asked for to go into all matters connected with Arapuni since the scheme was->t first suggested. - jiut The''Hon. W. B. Tavcrner, Minister \ for Public Works, has intimated that he will make a public statement re the Government's intentions regarding Arapuni in the course of a few days.