ELECTRIC POWER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 5 August 1925, Page 9

ELECTRIC POWER.

SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION. WORK OF THE BOARDS. (BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 5. < The annual conference of delegates representing the Electric Power Boards l. Association is taking place to-day. Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., Manawatu-Qroua Board, presided over a large attendance. He recorded the progress made during the year, and paid a tribute to the assistance given by the Prime Minister (Mr Coatee). It was not- proposed to introduce any legislation affecting power boards during the 1925 session. The association had) been making good progress, and' the construction of the association had been a good thing for all concerned. The membership was now 40, and other electrical undertakings were being represented under the constitution of the association. Mr Nash also dealt with the question of awards as affecting power boards. The executive was endeavouring to have separate awards made for power board workers. It was also seeking power to alter the constitution and effect a policy of consolidation. The Prime Minister spoke in reference to the Power Boards Act, and congratulated the .association and the electrical supply authorities on the interest taken in reticulation for the supply of electricity. The policy to be studied was one which carried the best methods of generating electricity and the supply of electricity to the consumer. It was on the power boards sthat they had to rely for the business management. The people of New Zealand were becoming responsible for a large expenditure, _ up to £15,000,000, for actual production of electricity, apart from its distribution. The bal-ance-sheets of power boards showed a vast improvement in finance, and all but about three were paying their way, and only three were collecting rates.

He considered power boards were on the way to making a success of the supply of electricity. They were looking for cheaper electricity, but existing contracts must stand, for the Government must get the same amount in the total for its electricity. The policy was to deliver electricity right through the country, and that could only succeed by one part of the country helping another. SOME RESOLUTIONS.

The conference resolved that power boards he given authority to alter their constitution by reducing or increasing the number of members thereof. It was also resolved that in respect of loans domiciled in Australia the Government be authorised to arrange for payment of interest in New Zealand wliere such, is mutually satisfactory to the lenders and to the borrowing authorities; that the Government provide the investing authority for any special funds that may be set aside by power hoards from time to time.