ELECTRICAL TRADERS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18217, 30 October 1924, Page 8

ELECTRICAL TRADERS.

POWER BOARDS' COMPETITION. (press association telegram.) ' WELLINGTON, October 29. At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce a letter was received from the New Zealand Electrical Traders' Association protesting against the trading operations of Electric Power Boards and asking the Chamber to support them in a deputation to the Prime Minister. The letter stated that the electrical business was developing to a greater extent than any other new business in this country. . Many firms, some longstanding and others more recent, had invested large sums of capital in the business. These firms were carrying on business in the interests of the country generally. There was no combine, and there was no reason why they should not be given absolute freedom of trading rights. The unfair methods adopted by the Boards were seriously interfering with the business of private firms. In many instances they gave long credits and deferred payments and cut prices. This acted unfairly on private firms. In some districts it was almost impossible for the latter to secure business owing to the restrictions placed on them by PowerBoard regulations. If competitive trading, financed by ratepayers' money, was allowed to continue, firms would find their businesses threatened with entire destruction. The Chamber was appealed to to give its support on the general principle involved. While" tho opinion was expressed that the Chamber did not like to lend itself to political deputations, it was decided to grant the required support. The opinion was also expressed that public bodies should be made to place their activities on the same business basis as privato traders.