POWER BOARDS HOLD CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17905, 22 July 1926, Page 5

POWER BOARDS HOLD CONFERENCE.

(Special to the “ Star. ”) WELLINGTON, July 22. The fourth conference of delegates to Power Boards began this morning, when Mr Nash. M.P., was in the chair. The Hon K. S. Williams said that he would do his best to maintain the cordial relations which existed. The question of hydro-electric works was a comparatively* .new one. and would benefit by the fullest co-operation and consideration. Speakifig to his report, the chairman said that Mangahao was working up to its full capacity. It was not a question of getting a sale but of keeping up to the demand. The excess of revenue over expenditure was £93 7s lid, a satisfactory- position. Mr Leighton (Waitemata) moved a remit that the Power Boards’ Act should be amended to provide for the election of members by- ratepayers only. In his districts there were two districts of about the same population, but of very- different valuations, with the result that there was inequitable representation. The chairman said that, where huge expenditure was taking place, the ratepayers should govern it, but he was afraid that there was little chance of having such a remit dealt with by Parliament as a very- democratic system of voting was generally accepted. Kir Holdsworth (Auckland) said that their experience had been so unfavourable that he would be in favour of broadening rather than narrowing the franchise.

The chairman said that the circum stances were unusual. There was every possibility of a short parliamentary session and it had been decided to for mulate some policy forthwith. The remit was lost.

Steps for legislation to allow the boards to grant men a week’s holiday on full pay whether the men worked under an award or not were sought by the Manawatu-Oroua delegate. Mr Vincent, (Manawatu) said that the remit would tend toward maintaining a permanent staff The suggestion was agreed to. The chairman said that he would like to see boards allowed to lend each other money at approved rates. He moved “ that, in addition to other in vestments of loan moneys authorised by law, the board may, in any case where it is deemed desirable, deposit with any duly constituted power board any sums of money at credit of any loan account interest, the board receiving such interest to apply it toward the payment of the interest and sinking fund of the loan.” The present act allowed such loans but not of loan money. The motion was carried.

It was decided to approve of the inclusion of power board debentures as approved investments under the Friendly Societies Act. Provision by legislation for contribution to special rates by added areas as though they were included in the area at the taking of the loan poll was approved.