62 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [Jan. 
(i.) That District Electricity Boards should be financed, in whole or in part, by 
funds raised with Government assistance, except where it is shown to 
be desirable and practicable to finance the Boards locally. (Paras. 51 
and 56 ( g).) 
(j.) The largely extended powers should be granted for, inter alia, (a) The use of 
overhead wires; ( b) wayleaves ; (c) acquisition of water-rights. (Paras. 76 
to 79 and 81.) 
The scheme recommended by the committee is practically a scheme 
for the nationalization of electric-power supply, and its development under 
Commissioners appointed for the purpose on such a comprehensive scale 
as to ensure the object set forth by the terms of reference—that there shall 
be an adequate and economical supply of electric power for all classes of 
consumers in the United Kingdom. 
A number of principles which are of universal application are contained 
in the report, and for that reason are herein reproduced :— 
Page 4, clause 4 
“The supply of such power is now seen to be virtually as essential as labour 
and materials in so far as it affects economical production. The value 
of the application of electricity to practically all classes of machinery 
and processes has been increasingly demonstrated in a striking manner 
during the war, especially in the manufacture of munitions and other 
work of national importance, while the rapid expansion of munition- 
factories was only rendered possible by its aid. The extent to which 
electricity may be further applied to cheaper and better mechanical pro¬ 
duction, to improved railway service, to electro-chemical and metallurgical 
processes, to agriculture, and to domestic labour-saving apparatus is 
altogether incalculable.” 
Page 6, clause 15 :— 
“The efficiency and wide extension of the gas industry has also to some extent 
accounted for the fact that electrical progress has been slower than might 
have been expected, especially in the smaller towns and villages. The 
most pressing need for electrical development is in those directions in 
which gas can least efficiently compete. We were glad to hear from 
important witnesses representing the gas interests that they look forward 
to more mutual assistance in the future between gas and electricity under¬ 
takings in the public interest.” 
Page 6, clause 17 :— 
“ To sum up as regards the present position, the evidence given before us was 
unanimous in declaring it to be unsatisfactory, and the opinion of practi¬ 
cally every witness was that something must be done, and as speedily as 
possible. Our investigation confirms fully the opinion of the Coal Con¬ 
servation Sub-Committee and the Electrical Trades Committee regarding 
prevailing conditions, and leads us unanimously to the conclusion that 
the present state of affairs is contrary to the national interest, wasteful 
of fuel resources, deprives industries of the advantage which a well-devised 
system of generation and distribution of electricity would give, and thereby 
handicaps them in competition with other countries.” 
Page 6, clause 19 :— . . 
“Where power is distributed N electrically from central stations, the capital 
required for starting new industries will be considerably less than where 
such power does not exist. Intending manufacturers need not expend 
capital on a separate prime mover. They can at much less expense install 
an electric motor or motors, and can add further motors as the business 
develops. Available building-space can be better utilized, and where 
individual electric drives are employed lighter and cheaper buildings may 
be erected.” 
Page 6, clause 20 
“ The Coal Conservation Sub-Committee’s investigations have shown that in 
the United States of America the amount of power used in industries, 
expressed in terms of the number of operatives employed, is greater than 
in this country. In practically all our industries the horse-power per 
operative could be increased with advantage both to capital and to labour, 
as is shown by the results obtained in the United States of America, where 
