BIG SCHEME.

Grey River Argus, 31 March 1926, Page 5

BIG SCHEME.

' BRITISH ELECTRICITY. Will Monopoly Result ? (Received March 30 at .11.10 p,m.) (Reuter.) LONDON, March 30. In the House of Commons, Mr Ashley, in moving the secund reading ui the Electricity bill, elaborated the Government’s scheme, as outlined Uj Mr Baldwin ar Birmingham on January 15. He added that part pf the scheme provided fur the standardisation of frequency. He pointed out that only one third uf Britain was reasonably supplied with electricity. In appealing lu the Conservatives, he rSaid that the Government endeavoured to carry out a principle, it was not. the Government's business to manage or operate the schemes, but only to coordinate and contrut Mr William Graham moved n Labour amendment fur the rejection of the Bill, urging, that a cheap electric supply would best be secured by a Wtate system.

Mr Dennis Herbert, leader of the Conservatives group, opposed the measure. A volume of Conservative criticism was poured out, including a belief that the credits that would require a Government guarantee would far exceed the estimated 33$ million sterling. An allegation was mrple that monopoly worse than nationalisation would be created. There is, however, no. danger of a Government defeat on the Bill.