"RAY OF LIGHT”

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 40, 5 May 1950, Page 4

"RAY OF LIGHT”

Sir, —At long'last a ray of light is penetrating into the inner gloom of opr local Council. It is gradually dawning on our elected representatives that the citizens would like some - information on the power situation. “Borough Authorities” contend that few know the correct power position in the Borough today, and this would prompt me to ask, at whose doorstep does that responsibility lie. A newly formed Citizens’ Association has offered a suggestion, to ration the available power, but without any apparent thought the Mayor’s remarks to this are quoted asr “The borough council is responsible to the people—these people ore responsible to no one.” Such may be the case, but surely if the Council is responsible to the people (and they do admit that much) the people are entitled to a complete and frank statement including explanations, on an affair which directly affects them, without having to go cap in hand. After all, even a prisoner, on being sentenced to death, at least has the satisfaction of knowing why they are hanging him. Yours etc., | RATEPAYER. Whakatane, May 4.

POWER POSITION Sir, —In your issue of Wednesday you report having made enquiries around Whakatane about the feelings of the people re the powttr position. You state that the majority of the people do not like the power cuts and would prefer an alternative method of conserving power. Then you refer to the individual quota system and quote one man as saying, “there must surely be some reason why it has not been introduced yet.” Well Sir, if that is so, is it. not the duty of our representatives, the Borough Council, to give us these reasons. One keen advocate of the quota system 'ls quoted as saying that the Mayor could give the seasons be-

fore a public meeting. Then a Borough official—by that I suppose you arp referring to one of the paid officials—steps into the breach to say that Worship could do this if the people so desired.

Now, Sir, why has this information to be forced from Hi; Worship in this manner? Is it not his duty as the first citizen of the borough to take all his electors in:o his confidence? This could be done either through a public meeting or through a statement in the press? Your article is an admission that the publijc would appreciate the facts being put before them. May I then presume to place a few questions before the Mayor. These are questions to which I am sure all interested citizens would be pleased to have the answers.

(1) Are the pchver cuts in vvhakatane more severe than in other parts of the North Island and why? (2) Who decides the of power made to Whakatane and are arrangements made to ensure that each local authority gets it; fair share? ,

(3) WII3/ is there no 1 p.m to 4 p.m. cut outside the Borough? (4) Why is the council so opposed to the power quota? (It will be remembered that particulars were were sought last year so that it could be given a trial). (5) How does the individual quota system work at Rotorua, and why are there no power cuts there r.t present? (6) Is there any truth—the rumours, stated to originate in official quarters that Whakatane consumes up to 20 per cent above its official quota. (7) Does the Whakatane Borough Council get its fair share of the power that is available and what’s the allocation?

(8) What has been the actual saving of power due to the cuts? In other words what was the actual consumption the last week of unrestricted power, and the first week of the power cuts and the first week of each additional cut? Tn conclusion, Sir, I would drew attention to a press message from Whangarei. There it states that the Whangarei Borough Council has introduced the individual quota system and is convinced that it is the only method by which the 10 per cent saving can be made. There are anomalies and hardships, but the council is doing its best to iron them out. Here is an example for the Whakatane Borough Council. Why not at least try to follow suit.

Yours etc., L. C. RICHARDS.

Whakatane, May 4,