ELECTRIC POWER CONTROL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18622, 18 July 1930, Page 11

ELECTRIC POWER CONTROL.

GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONERS ADVOCATED. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, July 17. “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 Electric Supply Commissioners,” was a remit put forward by Mr J. Dean, chairman of the Franklin Power Board, which 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 to the advantage of the country if control of the 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 influence, but he could not agree that it 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 separation of the Hydro-Electric Department and the Public Works Department. He had the greatest confidence in Mr Kissell. Mr A. J. McCurdy moved, as an amendment—“ That, in the opinion of this conference, the time has arrived for the electrical branch of the Public Works Department to be made a distinct and separate department.” Mr W. J. Holdsworth (Auckland) said that New Zealand should not make the mistakes 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 (Wellington) gave his experience of electrical development in Australia, where Commissions were in control which 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 Commissioners.” Mr Dean withdrew his remit in favour of Mr Hitchcock’s amendment, which was carried unanimously.