POWER SUPPLY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 235, 18 July 1930, Page 3

POWER SUPPLY

QUESTION OF CONTROL, COMMISSIONERS FAVOURED. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 17. “That in the opinion of this conference the time has arrived for the functions of the electrical branch the Public Works Department to be placed under electric supply commissioners,” was a remit put forward by Mr J. Dean, the chairman of the Franklin Power Board, which led to an animated discussion at the annual conference of the Electric Power Boards and Supply Authorities Association today.

Mr Dean said he had no complaint to bring against the officers of the Public Wonts Department, but the industry had grown to such an extent that it was time it was removed from political control. Mr E. Hitchcock (Christchurch) said that in many respects it would be to the advantage of the country if control of the electrical supplies were taken out of the political arena. Commissioners were in control in South Africa, and were doing extremely well. Mr W. Bloodworth (Auckland) said it, was desirable that electric supply should he separated from political influence, hut he could not agree that it should be separated from political control. To do this would be to set up a body which would be above Parliament. The president (Mr J. A. Nash, M.P.) agreed that the time had arrived for the separation of the Hydro-Electric Department and the Public Works Department. He had the greatest confidence in Mr Kissel. Mr A. J.. McCurdy moved as an amendment: “That in the opinion of this conference the time has arrived for the electrical branch of the Public Works Department t© be made a distinct and separate department.” Mr W. J. Holdsworth (Auckland) said that New Zealand should not make the mistakes which had been made by older countries. It was physically impossible for the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department to carry out all the duties which at t>resent were placed upon his shoulders.

Mr W. Cable (Wellington) gave his experience of electrical development in Australia, where commissioners were in control, who had the highest attainments. -

The amendment was d4feated on the voices.

Mr Hitchcock submitted the following further amendment; “That in the opinion of this conference the time has arrived for the functions of the electrical branch of the Public Wprks Department to be placed under Government electricity supply commissioners.”

Mr Dean withdrew his remit in favour of Mr Hitchcock’s amendment, which was carried unanimously. The following remits, among others, were carried:

“That the Government be requested to amend the Local Authorities Superannuation Act So that a power board or a supply authority can, if it so desires, subject to the consent of the Minister, provide for the .superannuation of its employees, either by,, way of endowment assurance or saving fund.” *

“That in order to make it possible to extent the electrical service to those engaged in and connected with agricultural or pastoral pursuits in less densely populated districts where otherwise such service would not be financially feasible, the Electric Power Boards Act be amended to provide for Government assistance being given in the form of a grant-in-aid up to a maximum amount of 50 per cent, of the capital cost of lines and secondary equipment.” “That the basis upon which the Government charges power hoards ior the supply of electricity, namely, £lO per k.v.a. for the first 200, has become a penalty on the smaller boards; and this conference urges the Government to alter its scale of charges so that the smaller boards shall not pay an average higher rate per k.v.a. than the larger hoards.” It was stated that on an average the sqialler hoards paid a higher pro rata rate than the larger hoards. Considering the difficulties confronting the smaller hoards, it was thought that the principle of the charge was wrong and that they should be relieved of the impost. The conference discussed at some length the present -method of the Public Works Department of charging supply authorities on peak load. It was decided to ask the Engineers’ Association to report on the question. The conference elected the following officers I —President, Mr J. A. Nash, M.P.; executive, Messrs G. A. Monk (Horowhenua), R. S. Chadwick (Dannevirke), W: J. Holdsworth (Auckland), A. W, Rodger (Southland), J. W. Kershaw (Wairarapa), A. J. McCurdy (Hutt Valley), J. Kennedy (South Canterbury), A. C. Russell (Central Hawke’s Bay). F. V. Watt (Ashburton), J. T. Johnson (Te Awamutu). W. B. Galloway (Otago), M. Cable (representing North Island supply authorities), E. Hitchcock (representing South Island supply authorities) H. F. Toogood (representing Engineers’, Associations), P. Day (lepiesentmg Secretaries’ Committee); secrotary, treasurer, and legal adviser, Mr F. T. Martin.