Hydro For Farmers

When the idea was first conceived of harnessing up the water power of Ontario and distributing the power so generated throughout the length and breadth of the province, it was generally thought that farmers would be the chief benefactors from such an undertaking. Such has not, however, been the case. Last year of the 300,000 or more horse power generated and distributed by the Hydro-Electric Commission, only 2,500 horse power was used by farmers, or considerable less than one percent of the total amount of power generated.

At the present time, according to a statement made recently by Sir Adam Beck, only 1,600 farmers are served by Hydro, and while the Hydro commission has been in operation for over ten years, and now supplies power and light to every important city in the province, only 400 miles of transmission lines have been built to date to supply the need of our farming population. Under these circumstances, it was not surprising when the U.F.O. government was returned to power that one of the first things Premier Drury did was to appoint a commission to determine whether there was any justification for the conditions, and, if not, how they could be remedied. The commission recommended that a rental of $2 per horse power should be paid, and that this money be taken to defray a part of the cost of constructing rural distribution systems. As the urban municipalities have been the chief benefactors from Hydro up to the present time, the suggestions of the commission have met with bitter opposition from the city press-especially in Toronto-which objects to consumers in the cities being taxed for the benefit of rural communities.

This opposition from people in the cities who are benefitting from cheap Hydro service was naturally to be expected, and should not be allowed to influence the government in determining whether it should adopt the report of the commission as it stands, or with modifications. The only point that should be considered is how to distribute power in rural sections without impairing the future efficiency of the Hydro Commission and without undue expense. The counter proposals put forth by Sir Adam Beck in this connection, while speaking at the annual convention of the Ontario Fairs and Exhibitions Association, are, we believe, worthy of consideration. Sir Adam said that the total amount paid in water power rentals in Ontario last year was $337,000. When the Chippewa development is complete it will be over $500,000. He proposed that the government take half of this amount, that is $250,000, and use it for building transmission lines in the rural districts. Under this plan he estimated that it would be possible to build from 600 to 700 miles of lines per annum.

Whatever plan of action should be followed will be for the Legislature to decide. One thing in certain, however, that whether it has been the fault of past governments, or whether it was due to exigencies arising from the war, the needs of farmers as regards Hydro power have not received adequate consideration. Ontario, compared with European countries where Hydro-electrical power has been employed for many years past on farms, is sparsely settled, and this, of course, increases the difficulties in providing farmers in this province with Hydro power at a cost that would make it worth while to install it. However, it is a problem that must be tackled--and tackled too without fear and without favour.