ELECTRICITY SHOW

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 8, 4 October 1929, Page 6

ELECTRICITY SHOW

EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT TOWN HALL Authority was granted by the City Council last night to the general manager of the Tramways and Electric Light Department to make arrangements for the holding of an electrical exhibition m the Town Hall during November. This will give the department an opportunity or showing to advantage the latest developments in electric lighting, cooking, and heating apparatus, whilst the many other uses to which electricity may be put will be intimately displayed, the object being to increase the interest in the further use of electricity in the home, the office, and the factory. The proposal was opposed by Councillor McKeen on the grounds that the cost was to be born by the electric light department. It was to cost £7B for the Town Hall, and as well the power was to be given free. He did not think that they should do that for private firms. That was not the way to do it, as he thought the council should have its own display room. If the electrical traders wished to do it let them do it at their own expense. The Mayor said that Mr. Cable had said that the exhibitors were to pay £46 for a stall. Anything they could do to encourage the use of electricity they should do. They were ready for an advance, particularly in regard to cooking and heating apparatus, and now that the change-over was practically through it was time they did something of the sort. Mr. McKeen: Well, let us do as the power boards do —sell the goods. Councillor C. H. Chapman had no objection to the traders giving such exhibitions, but he did not think the council should subsidise it to the extent of £7B. He thought it would be better if the department set up a goods department. Councillor R. Semple objected to the council boosting private enterprise. Councillor T. Forsyth said it was a matter of boosting the City Council’s product, and they would get the ultimate benefit by the increase of the power sold.

Councillor Semple: Why not sell the goods ourselves? Councillor Forsyth: One should look into the history of that business, as neither the council or the Government were somehow or other able to handle such lines as efficiently as private business people. The Mayor said that Mr. Cable had told the committee that its liability would be £7B, and now it was to be reduced to £39, due to a proportion of the profits being returned to the council. Councillor McKeen still protested vehemently at the procedure that was being followed. He submitted that they do what the power boards were doing, and indent the goods for sale to the public, to be sold, if necessary, on deferred payments. He quoted what the Christchurch and Palmerston North Councils were doing. Even at Lower Hutt they had three times as many electrical stoves as they had in the city. The Mayor said it was a perennial question, as to whether they should go in for trading or not. It was always cropping up. On a vote being taken an amendment to refer the matter back (moved by Councillor Chapman) was defeated by 12 votes to 3.