LEGISLATION FORECAST

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 219, 12 August 1930, Page 9

LEGISLATION FORECAST

POWER SUPPLY CONFERENCE. MAKING REMITS EFFECTIVE. Matters discussed at the annual conference of the New Zealand Power Supply Authorities’ Association were reported upon to the monthly meeting of the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board yesterday by the chairman of the Board, Mr J. A. Nash, M.P.,' who is also chairman of the Association. “Many matters of great moment to power boards were dealt with,” he stated. “There was a possibility of obtaining certain legislation, but that is doubtful in view of the projected departure of the Prime Minister to the Imperial Conference. However, representatives of the Association laid its case before Hon. E. A. Ransom and if we can put through half the remits which were dealt with, we will have cause to be quite satisfied. The engineers’ and secretaries’ branches did splendid work and both are a valuable adjunct to the association.” “There was 6uch a vast amount of business got through that one was staggered and amazed,” said Mr P. J. Small, who added that the conference fully warranted an annual instead of a biennial session, as at first suggested. It was a parliament of power supply authorities in the interests of consumers. The conference was one of the most important in the Dominion as hydro-electric schemes involved an outlay of -many millions of money. He congratulated the promoter of the conference (Mr Nash) on his good work. The Board passed a resolution of thanks to the conference delegates (Messrs Nash, P. J. Small, W. A. Waters and K. W. Eglinton). “My business is to guide and conduct the conference,” stated the chairman. “Mr Small is a tower of strength and takes part in discussions with effect.”

Tributes were paid to the valuable paper read by the secretary (Mr K. W. Eglinton) at the conference, and he was called upon to read it to the Board, following which a motion of congratulation was passed. The paper dealt with the need for closer relation between urban and rural communities in power supply- > NATIONAL CONTROL. Mr J. Hodgens stated that the time was inopportune at present for national control. There was a certain city which had a plant and must make the best bargain it could with it. “The idea of setting up power boards was t-o my mind only a stepping stone to secure the reticulation of. the whole of New Zealand and I am positive that the State will later take over the whole undertaking,” said Mr Nash, who forecasted legislation which would in future put the whole matter on national lines. PROPOSED AMALGAMATION. “Since that paper was published there have been steps taken in Feilding,” stated Mr P. G. Guy, “to circulate a petition asking the Government to join up this board with that for the Wanganui and Rangitikei.” “You might as well save yourself any trouble in connection with an amalgamation with the Wanganui-Rangitikei Board,” stated the chairman. Mr Guy: Nothing venture, nothing win. “The whole matter was knocked on the head some years ago,” stated the chairman. Mr Guy: Yes, when you said that Palmerston North would come in. Mr Nash : I beg your pardon. I said nothing of the sort. Members rose to a point of order and the matter lapsed with the chairman’s comment that any energies in the direction of amalgamation with \vanganui would be wasted. Mr Guy asked if an offer oould not be made to Palmerston North City for the purchase of its plant, if that was the bugbear. The chairman advised Mr Guy not to press the subject. “Judging by the look on Mr Hodgens’s face I don’t think that Palmerston North would be anxious to sell at present,” said Mr J. H. Perrett. Mr Guy requested that overtures be made. He said lie could not go back and face the Feilding people’s insistent demands for action in that direction without making renewed efforts. The chairman: You must be having a bad time in Feilding.

Mr Guy: I certainly am. The Board decided, not to pursue the matter further.