CONTROL OF ELECTRICITY

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1930, Page 11

CONTROL OF ELECTRICITY

AUTHORITIES SEEK CHANGE “ ” i SEPARATION FROM DEPARTMENT. • ; BOARD’S SUGGEST COMMISSION.; J9y Telegrasi:.—Prass A»«oc!stlcn. Wellington, Last Night. “That in the opinion of this conference the time has arrived for tho functions of the electrical branch of the Public Works Department to be placed under electric supply commissioners.” This remit, put’ forward ,by Mr. J. Dean, chairman of the Franklin Power Board, led to an animated discussion at the annual conference of- the Electric Power Boards and Supply Authorities’ Association to-day. Mr. Dean said he had no complaint to bring against the officers of the Public Works Department, but the industry had grown to .such an extent that it was time it was removed from political control... Mr. E, Hitchcock (Christchurch). said that in many respects, it would be tb the advantage of the country if the control of electrical; supplies were taken out of ‘ the . political arena. Commissioners were in: control; in South Africa, and were doing extremely well. Mr. W. Bloodworth (Auckland) said that it was desirable that electric supply should be separated from political control. To do this would be to set up a body which would be above Parliament, • •

The president (Mr.-J. 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. -McCurdy iiiOved- as an ■amendment “That'-in the opinion of this conference the tirne has : arrived for the electrical branch of the Public Works Department to he made a distinct and separate department.”

Mr. Holdsworth said that Now Zealand should hot make mistake's which had been made by 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.

Mr. W, Cable gave his experience of electrical development in Australia,, where commissions were in control who had the highest attainments.

The amendment was defeated on the voices.

Mr. Hitchcock submitted the following further amendment: “That in the opinion of this conference the time has arrived for the functions of the electrical branch of the Public Works Department to be placed under Government electricity supply commissions..”

Mr. Dean withdrew his remit in favour of Mr. Hitchcock’s amendment, which was carried unanimously.