POWER SUPPLY CONFERENCE

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27796, 22 October 1955, Page 10

POWER SUPPLY CONFERENCE

“RING TENDERING” CONDEMNED

Disapproval of uniform tendering adopted by many suppliers of electrical equipment was expressed yesterday by the conference of the New Zealand Electrical Supply Authorities’ Association. It asked the Government to “make strong representations to the appropriate authorities with a view to having this practice discontinued and if necessary controlled by legislation.” Most authorities had experience of “carbon copy” tenders, said Mr L. R. Waygood (Auckland). The United Kingdom, Eire, Canada and Sweden had legislation against restrictive trade practices, he said. Similar leislation in New Zealand would result in freedom of commerce and power boards would be able to place their purchasing on a much more economical and sound basis.

Manufacturing Industry—“ That the association investigate the possibility of forming its own co-operative manufacturing industry” was a remit which was lost. Copper Cables—The necessity for an early decision by the Board of Trade on the importation of certain copper cables was emphasised in an approved remit from the Auckland Electric Power Board. Cutting of Trees.—A remit from the Waitemata Power Board was referred to the executive. It urged that the Public Works Act should be amended to enable a supply authority to enter on private property and cut trees, when there were emergency conditions and the public interest and safety was at stake. Supporters of the remit said that a present the shortest period of notice which must be given was seven days. Sales Tax.—Exemption from sales tax of distribution transformers and hard-drawn covered cable was sought in a remit passed. Transformers and Condensers—The conference approved representation to the Board of Trade on the prohibition of importation of certain sizes of transformers and condensers. The remit stated that with the closing down of one manufacturer, the others were unable to give satisfactory deliveries. Space Heating— A remit asking the Government to give a lead by installing other than electricity for space heating was defeated, after several delegates had stated that the Government was installing alternative means of space heating in Government buildings. Broadcasting Programme—The State Hydro-electric Department should accept responsibility for a comprehensive broadcasting programme to keep before the public the need to conserve electricity, the conference agreed. It was emphasised that although the South Islands’ power problems were nearly over, the North Island faced a shortage for some years, and it was considered that the Government, as the generating authority, and not the distributing authorities should be responsible for publicity.