COUNCIL AND CURRENT.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 666, 9 September 1921, Page 5

COUNCIL AND CURRENT.

(To the Editor,)

Sir, —Your leader of last issue ofi the proposed Franklin electric lighting scheme is an eye-opener. It comes as a great surprise to the ratepayers of the district to know hat their Council is seriously considering giving permission to aprivate company to monopolise the electric service of a great portion of the County. A proposition of such huge dimensions to be put through and not a voice allowed the public, is the most shortsighted policy we have heard of to bind the public down to a private company in such a way that when the great hydro-electric scheme is instituted they will not be able to avail themselves of cheap current, unless they purchase the entire holdings of this private company at Waiuku It would not be so bad if the public could take over the lines, and lines only, but in this case they will be compelled to buy outright, the extensive, and then useless machinery also. This, of course, will mean a rise in rates for County ratepayers, and it will be in the dim distance that they may hope for cheap power from tlie ‘hydro-electric service. Would it not have been a much better scheme to have approached the Pukekohe Borough Council and arranged for an extension of their service, with the agreement that when the hydro scheme starts the County Council take over the lines, etc, but not the machinery. Thre seems to be some peculiar push behind this scheme, Mr Editor. We understand that at least one member of the committee appointed to arrange matters with this private company is a shareholder in the same Electric Company. Of course he is going to be enthusiastic for more reasons than one. We have been wondering if the Crown Law Department will have something to say about it, as we understand that it amounts to a deal with the Council, and the Government does not allow Councillors to hold office under such circumstances. Perhaps you can enlighten us on that point. The matter of paying a goodwill to the Waiuku Company is also a big item, and not in the public interest. Application has been made to the Minister of Public Works for the license, but we are confident that he will “see through it,” and greatly modify the terms and conditions of agreement covered by license. It is against the Government policy to grant a monopoly to any company, and they will not divert from this strict rule. We would advise ratepayers in the afffeefced areas and neighbouring districts to make an immediate investigation into the propositions, and satisfy themselves that it is in their interests to have this private company controlling their lighting system*, and also to be sure that they will not be prevented from the great hydro-electric scheme later on. —I am, etc.,

A MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE