POWER BOARD TRADING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22165, 19 July 1935, Page 14

POWER BOARD TRADING

EXCEPTION TO PROPOSAL

PRIVATE FIRMS AFFECTED CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VIEW Excoption to the Auckland ElectricPower Board's scheme for increasing its load by providing facilities for the purchase of stoves and water heaters, anil by hiring electric stoves was expressed by the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce yesterday. The objection was made on the grounds that the proposal was an interference with private enterprise. It was decided to protest to tho board and to endeavour to arrango a deputation to discuss the matter.

Tho Auckland Powor Board had not indulged greatly in trading in the past, said tho chairman, Mr. Gainor Jackson, but it had apparently changed its policy and was going to enter fields that were rightly within tho scope of private enterprise. Tho result of this interference would be that the board would secure the whole trade in electric stoves and water heaters to tho detriment of the firms which had built up that trade.

Mr. A. G. Lunn said the Power Board had already given an instance of interference with private enterprise by erecting a large building, which provided offices and shops in competition with private property owners. New Zealand would become a socialistic State if this interference by the board were allowed to go on, and ho considered that a protest should bo made.

Mr. G. J. Browne described the move as more than the thin edge of a wedge. It was a " wedge and a-half." The Chairman: The thin edge of a white elephant. Mr. J. A. C. Allum snid the load in Auckland had heon huilt up by.traders in the past 30 years. It was different in the country districts, where power boards had started trading right from their formation.

Mr. 11. S. Milligan said he could not see how the board's move was going to effect the merchants. He admitted, however, that the small man would lose. Mr. H. Turner: If it is tho intention to socialise the country, then it is a step in the right direction.