" UNFAIR COMPETITION."

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 22, 26 July 1910, Page 2

" UNFAIR COMPETITION."

MUNICIPAL v. PRIVATE ENTERPRISE. TWO SIDES ~OF A PETONE MATTER. Holding that a municipality ghould not enter into what was stated to be "unfair competition" with masterplumbers in the matter of laying gas services, a deputation of gas-fitters last evening waited upon the Petone Borough Council. The deputation was introduced by Councillor Piper, who laid stress upon the faat tbat work was undertaken by the borough gas-fitting department at a price at which it was impossible for private contractors to pay rates — let alone wages. Numerous complaints about the unfairness of the situation had, he said, been made from time to time, though so far ho had not been personally affected. In view of the present Btate of the trade, there was not the slightest occasion for the borough to cut prices down to such a minimum. A member of the deputation (Mr. R. Jones) said lie did not see why the council should enter into the competition, but if it was decided to persist in the practice, then let the borough undertake work at least at reasonable prices. Addressing the ' deputation, the Mayor asked them* if the members were awaro of the fapt that at Ashburton, Rangiora, Levin, and other places, the prices (which ,he f gave in detail) were considerably lower than those charged by the council. lii the past, he added, it had been the policy of the council, in common with other boroughs, to foster the consumption of gas in every possible way ; and in this connection it was necessary to enter into all branches of the business. Reporting fully on the matter at the request of the council, the Borough Engineer (Mr. W. H. Cook) contended that the prices quoted by the borough were far from being ruinous, were in many cases much higher than those of other towns. The policy of the council in the matter -was, contrary to what had been asserted, neither detrimental to the gasworks or the ratepayers. As a matter of fact, lie considered it would be good business to do the gas-fitting work at cost price, simply in oi - der to foster the gas consumption. "As regards the position of the gasworks, there was nothing to be nfraid of, and the works would easily sell for over £50,000. It would, concluded Mr. Cook, be a very retrograde step if the council fell in with the deputation's request. Councillor Piper replied to the Mayor and engineer, only to be informed by the former that it . was not competent for him Lo take part in the discussion while acting in the dual capacity of a councillor and a licensed plumber (an interested party). Discussion on the matter was then dropped, the engineer's report being re•ceived. No further action was taken.