N. A. Power Board Denies Using “Back-Door” Methods With Whangarei

Northern Advocate, 8 January 1938, Page 7

N. A. Power Board Denies Using “Back-Door” Methods With Whangarei

STATEMENTS GIVEN TO THE PRESS BY THE CHAIRMAN, ENGINEER AND SECRETARY OF THE NORTH AUCKLAND POWER BOARD LED TO SOME DISCUSSION WHEN THE MATTER WAS RAISED AT YESTERDAY’S MEETING BY MR W. COLLINS.

He realised that, as an individual, Mr Day. secretary, had a right to express personal opinions; but he felt that the statements should not have been made without the consent of the board.

The Whangarei Borough Council. Mr Colilns said, had adopted a policy which it thought wise and the board had no right to endeavour to undermine the power of the council. When it met the council Mr Collins said, the board had been treated cordially. It was unfortunate if the published reports had stirred up any ill feeling.

The report had stated that an undertaking had been given by the chairman of the board, Mr J. A. McLean, that, in the event of the borough linking up with the power board, the price of power to consumers in Whangarei would be ‘‘the same as they are paying or less." a statement which, the secretary was reported to have said, should pave the way for negotiations between the borough and the board.

Premature For Such Statements,

Mr Collins fell that at the present juncture it was premature to make statements such as these.

“Ii seems,” he said, “that the statements to the press were semiofficial from the power board and I feel that they should not have gone forward in that way. W r c have no right to set up an agitation against the policy of the Whangarei Borough Council.”

Mr J. A. McLean, chairman, said he was not aware until yesterday that Mr Day had made a statement to the props. The engineer and secretary had asked him to support their contention that power could be supplied more cheaply if Whangarei would become a consumer. Consequently, Mr McLean’s statement was made on the recommendation of the secretary* and the engineer.

The statement in the “Advocate” to the effect that all that was required to bring Whangarei into the scheme was a petition signed by 25 per cent of the ratepayers, was nothing new. “That is something everybody knows,” said Mr McLean.

There was, however, considerable benefit that would accrue if Whangarei would consent to be included, the chairman continued.

Both the secretary and engineer had told him that immediately Whangarei linked up it would be possible to reduce the charge for electricity by Id per unit.

“This is a very important, thing,” said Mr McLean, “and I can see no objection to people knowing it.”

No Intention To Convass

He thought the board could give Whangarei people electricity at a lower price and a better service than they are at present receiving. If Whangarei came into the scheme costs could be reduced.

Mr McLean said Mr J. N. McCarroll had communicated with him by phone saying concern was felt at rumours that a canvass of Whangarei was planned by the board in order to get the necessary signatures for the petition.

This coui'se, however, had never been discussed or mentioned by any of the board’s officials. “There is,” Mr McLean stated emphatically, “no intention of carrying out such a canvass.”

Reference had also been made in the press about the same time, to the Supreme Court action between the board and the Wilsons Portland Cement Company. Mr McLean said he had been informed that as soon as the Supreme Court’s decision was given it would be made public by the committee dealing with the question.

Mr J. N. McCarroll said Mr Collins had probably taken exception to the statemenst being given to the press without the permission of the board. Mr Collins: I realise the great advantage of having Whangarei in our system. However the Whangarei Borough Council has taken a different view. These statements and the report of the Supreme Court case, make it appear that some effort is being made to undermine the power of the borough council. I object to the board taking that action; it would appear to be forcing Whangarei into the scheme by ‘back-door’ methods. No Back-Door Methods. Mr R, Nesbitt, who has always been opposed to the power board discussing so much business in committee, again sounded a note of gentle criticism. Under the circumstances, he said, the press reports might look suspicious to outsiders. He was perfectly certain, however, that no member of the board wished to enveigle Whangarei into the system by “back-door” methods; certainly he did not. The. chairman; There is no suggestion of it. Mr Nesbitt: I am just as anxious as anyone to see Whangarei come in but I want to tell the borough council that we are not adopting ‘back-door’ tactics.

Mr F. Elliott: It is unfortunate that the press reports of our officers’ statements and the court case should be published coincidentally. Question Dropped.

He, too, stressed the point that the board was not adopting “back-door” tactics. He was averse to them, as he was to any canvassing for the petition, but the assurance of Mr McLean had been given that no canvass was 'contemplated. _ “The time will come,” Mr Elliott continued, “when Whangarei will be supplied. It may not be in my time, but it will come eventually to the ultimate benefit of the whole area.” As it was, Mr Elliott remarked, any Information given to the press was perfectly correct.

At the chairman’s suggestion the matter was dropped.