Electrical Supply Authorities Meet

Northern Advocate, 1 October 1938, Page 5

Electrical Supply Authorities Meet

Numerous matters of general interest to electrical consumers were dealt with by the chairman of the North Auckland Electrical Power Board, Mr J. A. McLean, when reporting to a board meeting yesterday on the annual conference of the Electrical Power Boards and Supply Authorities’ A. nation, to which he was a delegate.

“The conference was opened by the Hon. Minister of Public Works, who stated that he was quite satisfied that his department had made and were making ample provision to meet the steady increasing demand for electricity in all parts of New Zealand,

“Dealing with the question of a reduction in bulk supply charges the Minister stated it might be possible to make some reduction to country power boards but only on the understanding that the amount saved through such reduction would be used only for subsir dising lines showing a return below guarantee standard. The final decision in regard to this matter has not as yet been received.

Amalgamation Schemes “Of passing intei’est to this hoard were the negotiations for amalgamation between the Electric Power Boards' Association and the Municipal Electric Supply Association. The latter body laid down certain conditions in regard to representation upon the executive and the name of the association. They also specified that all members must agree that they would not in. any way interfere with the rights or powers of any other member in the matter of electricity supply and would supply only in their respective areas, except under the terms cl an agreement to be mutually arranged. This condition was not acceptable to quite a number of power boards and in consequence a committee has been appointed to endeavour to reach a satisfactory basis for amalgamation.

“Many remits dealing with different activities of supply organisations were thoroughly discussed and those agreed to will be placed before the Minister with a request for legislative action. Those of interest to this board included requests for a subsidy from the Government for the reticulation of sparsely populated areas, the reduction in minimum guarantees, lower bulk supply electricity charges, provision of loan moneys on satisfactory terms and the removal of all duties upon electrical construction materials and appliances. “Many valuable reports were received including those from the secretaries and engineers’ associations which will be of considerable value to our executive officers. An Interesting Conference “A very important part of the conference is that in which the secretaries and engineers’ associations meet first apart and' later together. Many fine reports are presented at these meetings and discussed fully and later are presented to the main conference. Copies of all such reports and other proceedings are being put into nook form and later cn a copy will be supplied to each member of all boards in the Dominion. “In. passing: I would mention that Mr T. R. Overton was elected upon the executive of the Engineers' Association and Mr S. P. Day upon the executive i of the Secretaries' Association.

“During the conference a mooting of the union o? employers was held and in the report placed' before that mooting it was stated that negotiations are now, proceeding with the* Conciliation Council to set down a time for hearing the application for a Dominion award covering all employees in the electricity supply industry. “The conference in general was very interesting and instructive and the stat(tical figures given showing the growth °t‘he industry Ware truly remarkable.

It is certain that the position occupied by the industry to-day is of great importance in the community and every effort must be made to ensure that progress is not interrupted and is continued along sound lines.*’ The chairman was thanked for his report, and Messrs Overton and Daly wpre congratulated on their anointment to the executive.