ELECTRICITY IN THE NORTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21708, 25 January 1934, Page 15

ELECTRICITY IN THE NORTH

—| hasten to reply to a lcttci from Mr. William Collins in your issue of January J6 concerning the electrification of the North. Mr. Collins, as <i member of the North Auckland Power Board, assails the Whangarei sub-pro-vincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, and myself in particular, for our temerity in expressing the opinion that the present is not an opportune time to proceed with heavy loan expenditure for the reticulation of the North. Dealing firstly with the liability of farmers for the proposed loan and a possible rate, he dismisses this by the statement that "if the power scheme were to cost the racepayers one penny we would have none of* it," and mentions that this is the fixed policy of the board. It is quite a good policy, which we all hope the hoard will be able to carry out—but the fact still remains that before this project can he proceeded with the ratepayers must shoulder the liability lor a huge loan, and must also be prepared, in the event of the scheme not panning out as well as expected, to make up any deficiency by paying a rate. Our present huge burden of local body debt undoubtedly owes itself largely to our tendency to commit ourselves too readily to heavy loan expenditure without sufficient justification. "Once bitten, twice shy," aptly describes the attitude of many of us to-day, particularly in the Whangarei area, where we are being called upon to pay a rate on our Harbour Board loan. When this loan proposal was voted upon we were assured that there was no probability that we would over bo called upon for a rate, but unforeseen events have proved otherwise. 1 wish to make it clear that Ave are not opposing the reticulation of the North. We agree with the board that it is highly desirable that the people of this area ho provided with the advantages of electricity, as soon as it can be safely done, but wo believe that the present is not an opportune time for assuming a further heavy liability. The North is largely dependent on the dairying industry, whose members are putting up an heroic light against heavy odds, and although electric [lower might show some small saving in running costs, 1 submit that the present is no time to ask the fanner to throw out his present equipment at a loss, incur a heavy cost for new installation, and assume his share of the capital liability for the reticulation of the district. Let us consolidate our present position first, and then go on with the power scheme on a sound footing.

A. Brjscoe Moore. President, Whangarei Sub-Provincial, N.Z.F.U.