POLITICAL CONTROL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20619, 18 July 1930, Page 14

POLITICAL CONTROL.

SUPPORT FOR CHANGE. COMMISSIONERS SUGGESTED. [by TELEGRAPH. —PItESS association.] WELLI NO TON, Thurs dn y. The suggestion that the functions of the electrical branch of the Public Works Department should be placed under electric supply commissioners was contained in a remit introduced by Mr. .T. Dean, chair man of the Franklin Power Board, at the annual conference, of the Electric Power Boards and Supply Authorities Association to-day. Mr. Dean said hi' liad no complaint to bring against the officers of the Public Works Department, but the industry bad grown to such an extent that it was time it was removed from political control. Mr. T Bloodworth (Auckland) said itwas desirable that electric supply should be separated from political influence but be could not agree that, it should be separated from political control. To do this would lie to set tip a body which would be above Parliament. The president. Mr ,1. A. Nash, M.P.; agreed that the time had arrived for the separation of the Hydro-Electric Department and the Public Works Department. He had the greatest confidence in Mr. Kissell, Mr. A. J. McCijrdy moved as an amend ment, "That the time has arrived fur the electrical branch of the Public Works Department to be made a distinct and separate department." Mr. W. .1. Holdsworth (Auckland) said that New Zealand should not make the mistakes which had been made in older countries. It was physically impossible for the chief engineer of the Public Works Department to carry out all the duties which at present were placed upon his shoulders The amendment was defeated on the voices Mr. Hitchcock submitted a further amendment that .the time had arrived for the functions of the electrical branch of the Public Works Department to be placed under Government electricity sup ply commissioners. Mr. Dean withdrew his remit in favour of Mr Hitchcock's amendment, which was carried.