WAIKATO VALLEY HYDROELECTRIC SCHEME
Sir, —One of the most expensive and unreliable institutions in this country is the Government control of electricity. Here again we have the centralisation and control of all power for manufacture and domestic purposes, to further the ultimate of control of production, distribution and exchange. But, I would draw attention to the fact that the most serious aspect of the case is that in time of war, the centralisation of any scheme of the same magnitude as the Waikato Valley hydro-elec-tric would mean devastation and disaster of the first magnitude. Now with regard to de-centralisa-tion of power for all purposes as an economic proposition, as a war essential, it would be easy to prove that de-centralised power in the past, and in the future, has been, and would still be, the most essential and economic factor for all concerned (except power lusters) under local body control. We have an example of centralised power and its costs to the public, in the Tennessee Valley Authority (U.S.A.). Its operation cost over 14 years, up to 1946, including interest, was 339 million dollars. And the revenue was 209 million dollars, leaving a deficit of 130 million dollars. While we have commissions to stop private utilities from soaking the customers, there should be some authority to prevent publicly owned power projects from soaking the taxpayers. The gradual elimination of small de-centralised units, is the first step towards complete control. Stalin made it very clear that the widespread ownership of production makes the Communist Revolution almost impossible. The eVents of the past few years are convincing that centralisation of all political, economic, and financial power will result in complete regimentation of the individual. So, New Zealanders, it is, and always will be, a fight against centralised control. If you want the freedom of your forefathers, be vigilant. Which way is Democracy marching? Yours etc., W. BRADSHAW.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BPB19480614.2.14.1
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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 55, 14 June 1948, Page 4
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315WAIKATO VALLEY HYDROELECTRIC SCHEME Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 55, 14 June 1948, Page 4
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