POWER BOARD OFFICES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 588, 14 February 1929, Page 13

POWER BOARD OFFICES

BUSINESSMEN’S STRONG CRITICISM LOAN SCHEME ATTACKED "They are doing a wrong thing in entering into competition with private enterprise/’ said Mr A. GLunn in criticising the action of the Waitemata Power Board in utilisng reserves to build big offices in Queen Street with the intention of letting rooms. Addressing members of tho Chambo.r of Commerce at the annual raeet£o7s,ooo loan to be placed b< fox*e the ing to-day, Mr. Lunn referred to the community by the board. Why should this large amount be sought when the baord had healthy reserves, amounting last year to £BO,OOO, which could bo utilised? Instead of doing that the board was building large offices in an expensive part of QQueen Street, and would compete with private enterprise by letting. On the other hand, there were many offices vacant in all parts of the city. "If public bodies are to be allowed to do this sort of thing it will lead to disaster twice confounded,” he said. "Such a policy is to be deplored." It was a wonder, he added, that the chairman’s published statement had not roused more comment.. Mr. J. A. C. Allum pointed out that tho boards undertakings had been ownderlully successful, and it was necessary to extend capital. He hoped the real issue would not be obscured. Mr. Lunn said that the reserves now eating into the pockets of the consumers should be utilised. Mr. H. T. Merritt, president of the chamber, said there was no doubt that tho statement of the Power Board's chairman deserved comment, lie agreed with Mr. Lunn. "I think that the reason for the absence of comment on this action of the Waitemata Poker Board lies in the fact that the average inquirer asks: “Where is Waitemata?”