CITY'S OFFER TO POWER BOARD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 18 February 1935, Page 8

CITY'S OFFER TO POWER BOARD

(To the Editor)

Sir, —Whilst the published framework of the agreement between tlie City Council and the Waimca Power Board some scattered rays upon the scheme, the Nelson ratepavers as a whole yet sit in darkness. That there will be no material reduction in the price of current seems clear. That being so the project will at once lose interest for most. It the price remains unchanged what difference will it make to us. If a scheme of this great magnitude cannot carry with it a substantial price reduction' what’s the use of it?” Electric light will still continue to be pratcically a luxury in a land unsurpassed on the face of the earth for tile production of cheap and effective hydro-electric energy. Our poor and scanty lighting in New Zealand is the puzzled wonder ot everv intelligent visitor to our shores. Under the proposed scheme the power ot control will pass out of the hands ot our Citv Council, and virtually pass into the hands of the Government who already have far too much power for the ■•rood of New Zealand as lias been amply proved during the past four years. It may use this new and added power, not to develop our industries and resources, but to retard them. No provision seems to have been made for the "disposal of our steam plant—a plant unique m New Zealand (so far as the writer knows)—-in-asmuch as there has not been one hitch since the hour the power was turned on —on the 17th October, 192. In dealing with the Powre Board it seems we are dealing with only a middleman, who, with the best intentions in the world, is still at the mercy of the producer. I am ’ eICM OBSERVER. Nelson, 16th February.