FREE ELECTRICITY FOR TIMARU

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23260, 23 July 1945, Page 2

FREE ELECTRICITY FOR TIMARU

Sir,—l was amazed to sec that the Timaru Borough Council is considering offering free electricity to encourage the establishment of new industries in this town. It is pointed out that in America, the home oi enterprise. new industries are fostered. li the Borough Council feels particularly generous at the present time, why not favourably consider reducing the rates to existing ratepayers established here for generations. I believe every intelligent ratepayer will object, strongly to the Council suggesting giving away ratepayers' money to induce any industries to begin business here. and. I am sure that no enterprising American business man, or for that matter, a business man of any other nationality, will expect to be spoon fed by a municipal corporation, eiiner in regard co tree electricity or free any other commodity. One would imagine that some of the Borough councillors owned the electricity undertaking, and it should, not be necessary to remind them t-hac merely represent the people or ratepayers, and they have no moral or legal right to extend to prospective industries anything- in the nature of free rates, electricity or water. These amenities have had to be paid Jor by me ratepayers, and no individual oi council is acting in the best interests of such ratepayers in suggesting such a ridiculous move. One would like to ask why any member of the Borough Council, keen on pushing forward tne erection of homes tor the people (and particularly servicemen returning home from overseas), should bo against fostering and encouraging one of the oldest industries in Timaru. the coa’. carbonising industry. Here in Timaru is a ga> undertaking, established 70 years aro, and never once in all that long period lias •he gas supply b-en cut" off in the town. How many Borough councillors and others during the recent snowstorm, with all its damage to various utilities, for once, at least, did give thanks for gas. Councillors are dealing with public money, and if free electricity is granted to an individual or firm some other members of the community must make up the loss. H is time the councillors put their heads together and reminded one another that, they were appointed to represent ail the people of Timaru. —I am, etc., Thermal Valve.