POWER SUPPLY

Southland Times, Issue 21849, 28 October 1932, Page 7

POWER SUPPLY

CONTROL IN CITIES AND BOROUGHS. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, October 27 A proposal made to the Government by certain power boards that the electric power supply of cities and boroughs which at present are acting independently should be brought under the control of power boards was contested by a deputation from cities and boroughs which waited on the Rt. Hon, J. G. Coates to-day. The Mayor of Wellington, Mr T. C. Hislop, said: We are here to protest against such monstrous propositions. We are here to protect these businesses of our citizens which have through the years been built up from their own resources by careful and prudent management against what would amount to a virtual raid for the benefit of the power boards that as a result of careers of profligate extravagance find themselves in financial difficulties. Mr Coates said that the Government had to look at the effects as far as the country as a whole was concerned The matter would be looked at from the point of equity. There was no doubt that there was room for development towards the _ larger power supply areas. The position with which boards were faced was not due .mainly to extravagance. Had the. prices of primary products not fallen it was possible that they would have heard less from the power boards. The. Government would not take any action without the fullest consultation with all concerned.