POWER SUPPLY AREAS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 269, 28 October 1932, Page 9

POWER SUPPLY AREAS

BOARDS' PROPOSAL OPPOSED. CITIES PROTEST TO MINISTER. ' Wellington, Oct. 27. The proposal made to the Government by certain power boards that the electric power supply of cities and boroughs which are at present acting independently should be brought under the control of power boards was contested by a deputation from the cities to th i Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates to-day. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr T. C. A Hislop) said: “We are here to protest against such monstrous propositions. We are here to protect these businesses of our citizens, which have through the years been built up from their own resources by careful and prudent management, against what would amount to a virtual raid for the benefit of power boards that as a result of careers of profligate extravagance find themselves in financial jeopardy.” Mr Coates said that the Government had to look at the effects as far as the country as a whole was concerned. The matter would be looked at from a point of equity. There was no doubt that there was room for development toward larger power supply areas. The position with which boards were faced was not due mainly to extravagance. Had tho prices of primary products not fallen it was possible that they would have heard less from power boards. The Government could not take any action without the fullest consultation with all concerned. He promised to investigata.