ELECTRIC LIGHT LICENSE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1914, Page 5

ELECTRIC LIGHT LICENSE.

CR. RICHARDS ONCE MORE. [To Thb Editor Stratford Post. J Sir,—Cr. Walter's last letter tends to obscure the point at issue. The County Council, including Cr. Walter, has urged the Government to issue a license over the Borough (and Counjty) in favor of the Electrical Supply. Company. The County Council has jalso agreed to give the Supply Com'pany rights over the County roads in .perpetuity without definitely binding [the Company to supply current where required in the County and without receiving consideration therefor. He has not attempted to justify these actions, but has side-tracked into other issues. Your readers will therefore draw their own conclusions. He now states that he advocated an agreement between Borough and County (presumably to generate and transmit electricity.' If this is so why does he try to promote a license in favour of a private company, and thus alienate rights of both Borough and County. Surely the Borough or County, or both combined, would be in a better position jto proceed in such business if the Company has no extended rights. He dismisses the question of goodwill as a "bogey" and accuses me of "mere pretence." The £4OOO which the Company wanted from the Borough for seven years of the concession was to be hard cash. No "bogey" in that. L accused him of lamentable ignorance because of his own words, which follow : "that if the Borough and County could come to an agreement before the license is issued there will not be a penny to pay for goodwill." He says the Council "were assured that the license will state plainly that everything reverts back to the County whenever they exercise their right of taking over the plant, and no goodwill has to be paid for anything." The question is: "How were they assured?" The draft license itself could not do so. They may have been wrongly assured. Simple Simon was no doubt "assured" that his mother's pail provided sufficient water to enable him to catch a whale. He says he is not in favor of paying goodwill, but thought the Company should run out (their term, and yet he advocates a 'icense for 42 years and concession of rights in perpetuity. He says "the bounty could recommend to the Minister that they should have the right if taking over the plant on the day ;ho Borough concession ends," and igain, "I should like the Minister to ;o fully into the question and suggest something agreeable to all." The I'ounty could do so, and Cr. AValter desires as stated, I have no doubt; but vhat they have done is to urge the Minister to, grant this... abominable icense over the Borough and County ind have left it at that. This license, f issued, will undoubtedly confer a uige benefit on the Company and will prevent both Borough and County from promoting on their own account the generation and transmission of dectricity. The present price, 7d per unit, would have to be paid for all time ind what new contrivances are invented in electrical generation would benefit the Company only. Really, sir, is it not fit and proper to write :of "the rights of the people" when 'they are trifled with in this manner, even though such writing be wrongly termed "ranting" by Cr. Walter. He endeavours to force this matter down our throats, and because we spew it forth he says we should "get off our high horse."—l am, etc..

J. B. RICHARDS Stratford, 2nd February, 1914.