PROPOSALS ON POWER

Press, Volume C, Issue 29517, 19 May 1961, Page 13

PROPOSALS ON POWER

Opposition By Heathcote

The Heathcote County Council last night declared that it was “completely and utterly opposed to the proposals contained in the report of the Electrical Supply Authorities' Association of New Zealand's electricity distribution committee.’’ and it decided to apply to join the association so that it could fight the proposals at the coming conference of the association. It resolved to ask the Mayor of Riccarton (Mr E. J. Bradshaw) to put its views to the conference and in general represent it there. Recently the county chairman (Mr R. A. Young) and Mr C. D. le Comte represented the council at a meeting convened by the Rangiora Borough Council to discuss the report. The meeting, which included representatives also of the Riccarton and Kaiapoi Borough Councils, unanimously opposed the recommendations. “We cannot give Mr Bradshaw specific instructions, as we do not know quite who is friend or foe.” said Mr Young. “We don’t know if it is the big rural authorities who want to swallow us. or the big municipalities. These major concerns don't realise that they may be threatened with being absorbed themselves by the newer boards: and the power boards don’t know in their turn when they may be taken over by the Government. “We must take whatever steps are necessary to maintain our identitv as a separate supoly authority. Recently I consulted with Mr Bradshaw on the question. The threat to Riccarton borough is exactly the same as the threat to us. and I think he can very properly represent us at the supoly authorities’ conference.” The conference was to be held at Rotorua on May 31 and June 1, Mr Young added. “This electrical supply business is taking reams of paper to investigate, and the whole thing is being done at great cost, but I don't know whether the consumer will benefit fom it at all. The small authorities like ourselves are able to provide personal service on the spot, which is not always true of the larger concerns.” he said. “I see no advantage whatever in amalgamation, as far as our own consumers are concerned. Our power charges are among the lowest in New Zealand. We have a fully competent inspector and have just appointed a specialist adviser. “Our electricity department is a very vital part of our county affairs. We require the profit from our power sales to help to balance our budget."