ESSENTIAL TO HAVE MEN OF ABILITY ON THE POWER BOARD

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 November 1950, Page 8

ESSENTIAL TO HAVE MEN OF ABILITY ON THE POWER BOARD

“When you switch on your electric light you bring into operation in your home a proposition which has cost over three-quarters of a million to establish,” said Mr Hugh C. Jenkins, member of the Wanganui-Rangitikei Power Board, addressing electors at the Wanganui Opera House. “If that organisation had to be established today at current prices it would run to well over a million pounds in capital cost. That investment merits being placed in the hands of men of experience and proved ability. “The surplus of income over outgo runs to about 21 per cent., which is less for doing this community service than is paid for putting your money in the Post Office Savings Bank,” said Mr. Jenkins. "But even this 21 per cent, is not profit for much work of maintenance is not being done that should be done simply because men and materials are not available.

“It is obvious to you, that with so small a margin of surplus the Powe' 1 Board is in no position to play 'Father Christmas’ in taking oyer gas-producing installations. I think that this step should be taken, as it would result in economies of administration and that is why I advanced the suggestion some six years ago. The proposal was subsequently endorsed by a Public Commission set up by the Government. “The power shortage will ease in the year 1952, when Maraetai will be completed and before all the power supply is absorbed another station on the Waikato will be in operation. In order to take advantage of tttis forthcoming easing of the power supply side of the situation, I asked the beard to agree to engage in some stockpiling so that we should not be caught short of materials. The decision to engage in this operation was a unanimous one. “There is no political line in the deliberations of the Power Board, and I am pleased to say that Messrs. Batt and Rogers make a valuable contribution to the board’s deliberations. The only time politics enter is at election times, and this creates a false situation because there is no dividing line between any member or group of members on the board. To the extent that politics are imported into these elections it is therefore to be regretted. “My colleagues in this election include the sitting member, Mr. McCallum, a public accountant of very wide experience and whose penetrating mind is of great value to the board. Mr. Hodge is associated with the electrical trade and, like the late Mr. Dobbs, has an intimate knowledge ot consumers’ requirements. He will be able to make a very valuable contribution. Mr. Pearce, like many successful public men in Wanganui, was employed in the Wanganui East workshops. He is an able industrial advocate and has had the distinction of running for the office of general secretary of the A.S.R.S. and after only one week’s campaign coming to within 100 votes of success. This endorsement of the man by his own colleagues is the best recommenda- , tion that he could have for the office he now offers himself."