The Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1940. Power Board Criticism

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 245, 16 October 1940, Page 6

The Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1940. Power Board Criticism

As reported at length in yesterday’s paper, there has been “an exchange” of viewpoints between the Feilding Chamber of Commerce and the Manawatu-Oroua Electric Power Board. From the viewpoint of what electricity now means to the New Zealand living standard, the interest shown by the Chamber is to be welcomed. But having regard to the record of service given by Power Boards generally, and Manawatu-Oroua in particular, the edge of criticism might well have been tempered.

The Chamber’s views were put forward in the following resolution: —“That the Board be asked to revise, in the near future, the charges for electricity for power, lighting, hot water service, and heating, with a view to making substantial reductions.” Note the word substantial and, too, the sweeping nature of the request. The resolution on these grounds can hardly be commended. It is not happily conceived and shows a serious lack of knowledge of what the Board has done in the past and of the statutory limitations that govern such boards.

But while criticising the resolution, none the less it can be acknowledged that there is a good deal to be said for the plea that power be provided at a rate that would attract industries to Feilding. That is a cause that requires sponsoring throughout the Dominion. For Feilding’s case is typical of a score or so of other vigorous country towns, and, indeed, Palmerston North is in a somewhat analogous position. Due to the system under which local authorities are charged for bulk power by the State,, our four leading centres are at an advantage in providing cheap electricity to industry. The Feilding Chamber of Commerce would really be better advised to raise this matter as .one to be remedied by the State rather than by the local power board.

By this, it is not suggested that nationalisation of electricity is favoured. That indeed would be the last thing to be desired. Oar locally administered power distribution system has proved to be one of the most efficient in the world. If only our railways and State undertakings generally were as well administered, how fortunate this Dominion would be 1

To return to the current issue between the Chamber and Board, let this fact be faced. Anything in the nature of wholesale and substantial reductions in charges is manifestly an impossible expectation. The most that might be hoped for is some slight adjustments here and there. Home-users and farmers have been most generously treated. The price these consumers pay for the service obtained is believed to be the lowest in proportion to worth of any commodity or service to-day available in the Dominion. If the Board lias some mite to spare, then most strongly would be urge that any concession should go to the hard-pressed industrial power consumer. That means—to the aid of production.