N. Z. LEGION.

Hutt News, Volume 6, Issue 50, 23 May 1934, Page 5

N. Z. LEGION.

-Sir,—As a member of the Legion, and an admirer of its Dominion 'President, may I encroach on your space to reply to your correspondent "Curious" in a recent issue of your valuable paper. May I suggest to "Curious ' that if he' is really curious he will be enlightened on many points by the regular perusal of the Legion's fortnightly publication, "National Opinion," which for the past nine months has been one of the principal channels through which the education of electors to which he refers has been conducted. Your correspondent asks what does Dr. Campbell Begg know of the requirements of the working man or how to govern the country. In my humble opinion Dr. Begg is an outstanding personality to-day— unselfish, untiring, with high ideals and with sufficient vision "to realise the rocks ahead and to sec how the ship of State can be steered into less troublous waters. He has already earned the thanks of the community for having overcome all opposition to his statesmanlike' plans for hospital reconstruction. He is a muchlettered and a'much-travelled man, with an excellent war record, and we of the Legion consider ourselves most fortutfate in having such a leader. He is supported by a strong body of earnest and determined members, including many business men who are sacrificing time and money in what they sincerely believe to be the best interests of this Dominion. Dr. Begg-knows more of the working man's problems—and of the unemployed too—than many members of the present Government, and many of those associated with labour and the unemployed are gradually coming to realize that the Legion and its leader are well worthy of support in he thankless task they have- set themselves of improving on the present selfish and unsatisfactory system of party and local body government. Your correspondent recommends'"the tried system of party government," but electors are at rust waking up to the fact that the system has been • not only tried but found wanting. The majority of New Zea'landers are looking for a united Parliament, progressive and corrective, but at the same time arc determined not to allow democracy to g'ive way to Fascism, Communism or any other form of tyjjanny which would be an admission of defeat in their efforts to govern theselves. The Legion's ideas are democratic and are by no means "half baked," but have been endorsed by members after careful and concentrated research by specially selected committees. 'There are the clearest of indications that the Legion's policy will receive the enthusiastic support of many candidates and of the vast majority of electors, who are thoroughly fed-up of the present Government's policy and are looking for a strong lead, desiring above all things in these critical times a sane Government where "none are for the party and all are for the State." Hake no mistake, "Curious," the New Zealand Legion has come to stay till its self-appointed task is done. The writing is on the wall, and the success of the candidates endorsed by the Legion at the coming election will be the first step in the salvation of the country.—l am etc., J.W.M.

Sir, —Would you please give mc space us a local patriot to reply to the unladylike attack on our local body -nd local concepts of sport, etc? She was "only a Ratepayer's daughter' And she sighed for a share oil the "green"? That the Scouts might play on a football day; Did this rose that blushes unseen. Now your satire was split pretty maiden, Scouts have gone out with a bound. Besides what Scout would long, for a good sing song, . On that sacrosanct, "levelled" ground. But I'll give ycr a tip, pretty maiden, If ycr wants ter see uniforms bright, Chi lads a bit Jin, and fat boys full of viin, Wiv sharp eyes all turned to the right. Pull your weight with the N.Z. Legion, Brand your Scouts "Young Storm Troopers" then see, How they'll gambol aro.md with Nazi like sound, liko rejuv'ed old Mortgagees. While up in the stand, stiff and formal, The "elected" with shirts smartly cut, Will extend the right liaud while an old brass band, Brays "Der Heroes, Ja, Of Der Hutt." So waste not your tears preety maiden, 'Cause Rugby is holding the Jield, If they flow rather fast, let 'em fall where the grass Hasn't grown, or the ball's been heeled." Oh well we must close down now, and retire to the wigwam PONDEROUS PERCY. ELECTRIC STOVES? GRATIS Sir, —The decision of tlie Hutt Valley Power Board to popularise the usi' of electricity, by presenting non-users with free stoves, installing ami upkeep to be the responsibility of tlic Board, also a boiling jug given in, as a present, will meet with an overwhelming appreciation and the Board will be besciged with applications for such an offer. Has the Board, made any arrangements to give consideration to consumers of years' standing? We have been the means of placing the Board 011 a sound financial basis. In the early days cost of power was much higher, heavy bills had to be paid,

without complaint. Reductions.' were made very slowly, benefitting consumers only by degrees. Stoves had to be purchased, often by great sacrifice, for, in many cases, difficulty was experienced by paying stove instalment and the monthly bill. Installation of stove, too, had to be paid for (less the £3 granted by the: Hoard), ykould stove go wrong the , expense was, and still is, ours. Now, I would not like to think that present consumers begrudged any no-i----users, advantages that has become possible. by a good financial position, but is it fair to give away so much to new customers and not consider the old who have paid heavy bills .for years? i;' there are any jugs to be given away, consider the latter first, by making them a present of a jug! Then, too, has the Board considered the matter from this angle 'I It is a well known fact, that the majority of tenants, in rented houses, do not reasonably care for the property of others. Is it to be expected that great care will be taken of the Board's property? Very possibly too, people will ask,to h:}ve a stove installed who really cannot afford to use them, above the minimum, just to get the free jug. Tho Board will soon discover their mis take if this plan is put into practice. No one likes to feel that there are unscrupulous people about but we must admit there arc plenty around us. Hmv can the Board discriminate be tween the honest and the dishonest? The latter will be flitting away to other districts. They might leave die stove behind them but' I reckon the jug will be carefully packed with their belongings. No, the principle is not fair to old consumers. Either givo- these concession for past support or make tho purchase of stoves more attractive &r that people of limited means, may own one. To carry on with this idea Will be fostering the principle in our midst —Easy come, easy go—and in the finish it will be the honest and consistent people, who foot the bill. —I am etc., OLD CONSUMEB. In an interview with Mr E. P. Hollands, Engineer General Manager of the Hutt Valley Power Board, he kindly supplied the following reply to points raised in the above letter. Clause I.—The decision of the Board with regard to its range proposition was made after careful consideration of the report presented upo.i the scheme. 11, can be definitely assumed that any'scheme that will tend to increase the sales of electric units would have the backing of. the Board, providing that the returns can' be assured over a period of any expenditure the scheme demands to place it in operation. It must bo remembered that the more units consumed, so it will increase the demand and the Board will

j be in the position to review its rates for energy with the expected results of cheaper electricity to its consumers. 'Clause 2.—As to the question of consideration to your" correspondent and other consumers this can be fairly easily answered by the following statement: —The Board at one time paid tlu major portion of the cost of the installation of the wiring of ranges which was practically a gift, in the early days of the Board's operations. The Board then decided after a few years I to cancel the concessions of free wiring and gave in its place a lixe<l .sum of £0 for eatjh range installed. This special privilege was cancelled in 3U3;1, likely that consumers will pack an electric range were allowed a number of . units free and are still allowed units I free 011 their first monthly accounts. I The Board has reduced its charges ' from time to time since the commence- ' inent of operations and has during the past four years passed back to con- ' suniers by way of discounts the sum of over £30,000. Prior to the system of discounts a sur-charge was in force, that is, any consumer late in his payment was surcharged to the extent of 20 per cent. Does not the above indicate Avhat has been done by the Board, for the commencement of the supply'? When the report was being prepared investigations from a general canvassing of the Board's area showed that it was tbe desire of the majority of consumers to cook by electricity, but owing to tho great difference in first cost over other appliances the privilege of cooking by modem methods with electricity was/ found to be denied a largo number of prospective users. A schemc was evolved so that consumers could have a range and pay fo rthe hiro and servicing in their general rate through a prepayment ■ meter. 'The Board through its schemc j is ablo to purchase a quantity of ranges at a particularly low figure by quantity lots oil indent, and is passing 011 this to the consumer. Clause 7.—A1l applications under the new scheme will be carefully examined and your correspondent can be assured that tho Board will only accept consumers under the scheme who can .-tibstantially carry out the requirements- of tho guarantee that they will be required .to sign and the Board will discriminate before applications are finally approved. We cannot credit that consumers will make an application under the schemc for the sole purpose of securing an electric jug, especially in view of the connecting fee that has to be paid, which is in exccss of the price of the jug. . Tho' jug only becomes the consumer's property after 13 months of use, and as the Board has a deposit and connecting fee in hand it is hardly likely tht consumer will pack an electric jug up aiwl leave the district without collecting their deposits. The consumers are required under the scheme to sign a guarantee that will protoct the Board throughout.

Your correspondent is correct in his statement that the' Board will be besieged with applications. The response from a general statement in the, newuI papers has been remarkable. Applications are coming in daily, and this 3b more remrkablc in view of the fact that thes Board has not yet started its campaign for load building. - The Board under its No. 2 scheme has made- the hire purchase scheme more attractive by extending tho period which payments can be made, so that people of limited means may own their own range. • We suggest that your correspondent call at tho office of the Board when the whole scheme will be explained and the reasons' for its adoption as a load building scheme. Tho scheme should appeal to consumers whtf desire to cook by the most modern methods and' at a remarkably low rate, which compares favourably with any Power Supply Authority, in New Zealand. A COMPLAINT. , ' iSir, —May I crave a little space to voice what I think was an indiscretion on the part of the organisers in the 'screening of the picture of the "King I of lvings" at the King George Theatre to-night. | Being informed that there was upwards of 200 seats vacant in all parts I 1 of the theatre at the commencement of { the programme, and there was 200 to 250 people waiting outside, could not these seats have been occupied by those endeavouring to gain admission and at the same time help to swell the coffers of the Mayor's Fund. Speaking for | myself I did not at the moment have the necessary money to reserve seats ' for myself anl family but \va< prepared to give what little I" had.—l am etc , I ONE OF THE DISAPPOINTED. Lower Hutt 20/5/34. The above letter was submitted to his Worship the Mayor who supplies the' following information: — | If "One of the Disappointed '' is disappointed merely because he was de•i barred from contributing to the Belief Fund we would welcome his eontribu- ' tion at any time. If his complaint that he was prevented from seeing !he picture on a Sunday at a price for which lie could not view it on a week night, .1 might explain (hat the purpose of the screening was to rune funds to help distress cases. The fourhundred who were admitted at 'he cullection doors contributed £3/5/4. or a little under 2d per person. On tJi:<t basis the 200 to 250 who were not admitted (o the reserved seats would have provided an additional £.1/12/'!S to £2/0/10. An undertaking had been given that every donor would automatically quality for a seat mi the reserved area. The ticket holler.- who la;or occupied the seats produced fair innrc revenue than the collection wi u!d have done, and we maintained faith with the donors.