ELECTRIC POWER

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 50, 27 August 1925, Page 6

ELECTRIC POWER

MAKING INSTALLATIONS

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

SUGGESTED

INSPECTING APPLIANCES,

Representatives of Power Board engineers, electrical traders, and fire underwriters waited on the Prime Minister (the Hon. J. G. Coates) this morning and made two requests. One was that the Prime Minister should authorise the setting up of a committee to consolidate rqles and regulations applying to installations of electric lines and wires in consumers' premises, and the other was that an Approval Board should be

set up to pass electrical appliances,

Mr. H. F. Toogood stated that the members of the deputation were authorised to speak by representatives from all over New Zealand. He stated that they had the greatest possible confidence in the departmental officers, but their aim was to assist the officers in

their work,

Speaking on behalf of the Electrical Traders' federation, Mr. W. A. Coatea said that they aimed to set up a representative committee to advise the Department regarding rules and regulations. These rules and regulations, which would be of advantage to all concerned, would be issued by the Government. In^ the past they had always been asked for their views, but they wanted something more than the right to make a statement and answer questions. They wanted the oppportunity of discussing various points raised. Mr. Coates stated that the makers of the trade were prepared to devote their time to the work, not only in their own interests but also in the interests of the consumers and the public generally. Speaking in regard to the Approval Board, Mr. Coates said that at the present time much of the material used just scraped past the inspectors. It they had an Approval Board, contractors could wire the various premises without fear of the inspectors ruling the appliance unfit.

On behalf of the Power Board engineers, Mr. _ J. G. Lancaster said that the aim was that the committee proposed should be representative of all interests. As far as the power boards were concerned, it was hoped to retain the services of Messrs. Toogood, Lauchlan, and the speaker, together with three country representatives. In connection with the Appi-oval Board, it was submitted that this .would ensure the safety of the public.

Mr. F. K. Shepherd, on behalf of the fire underwriters, said that the council of his association had drawn up its own rules during the last twenty years.or so, but now they were willing to co-operate with the interested bodies. An approval board, it was urged, would guard against the importation into New Zealand of cheap electrical appliances, which constituted a very real danger to the safety of the public. Mr. Q. Lauchlan, electrical distribution superintendent of the City Council, added his support to the proposal to'set up an approval board. The present cost of inspection throughout New Zealand at the present time amounted to something Jike £20,000, and under the> amended regulations the figure would be double.

Mr. H. R. Halloran also spoke on behalf of the Electrical Traders' Feder ation.

The Prime Minister made inquiries as to the reason why the committee should be so large. Was there not a fear that if the work was left to too many they would not get anywhere? Where did the Railway Department come in? Mr. Toogood : "The Railway Department doesn't come in at present, but we are looking for the Department to cooperate with us. We are trying to please everybody." • Mr. Coates: "The man who tries to please everybody will please nobody." Mr. Toogood: "Not in this case." Mr. Coates: "It strikes me that if you had a, smaller committee you would get there. However, that's a matter to decide." There seemed to be no divergence of opinion about the committee, and lie thought that it was a good idea. • The Approval Board was another matter, but be believed that it was on the right lines. He was not going to set up a* committee without knowing who would comprise the committee. It was desirable that they should have the very best men in the country. He was mainly concerned about the- consumers. They could leave it at that. ,