ELECTRIC POWER BOARDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 October 1920, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER BOARDS.

i; SERVICE FOR TARANAKI. >; SUPPORTED BY ELTHAM. , At the suggestion of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce a meeting of Eltham importers was held on Wednesday evening. The meeting was convened by the Elt'ham Chamber of Commerce, and the president (Mr. I. J. Bridger) presided. There was a fair attendance. The secretary (Mr. J. H. Sheat) read letters from the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce pointing out that efforts iiad been niftde to institute a direct overseas import service to New Plymouth, and asking that meetings of importers be held to ascertain the quantity of cargo they would be likely to require fa the event of a direct service being established. On the receipt of this information it was proposed that a conference should be held and a deputation appointed to wait upon the local representatives of the overseas shipping companies. Mr. C. A. Walkinson also wrote strongly supporting the proposal, but pointing out that it was almost impossible to give definite information in regard to the actual number of tons that could be put upon particular vessels. His firm had at present between 100 and 200 tons of cargo on order in England, and a general instruction had been sent to make all possible shipments through New Plymouth. The use of this route would effect a direct saving' in freight charges, avoid unnecessary delays and unnecessary expense in transhipping, and prevent to a large extent the damage and loss occasioned on goods in transit between Wellington and Eltham. His firm was enthusiastically in favor of the movement and would do all in its power to support it. The chairman agreed with the advisability of supporting the proposal, and the undoubted benefits. Mr. T. C. List, a member of the deputation who waited on the council the previous day, had pointed out that a guarantee of ■ from 1500 to 2000 tons —distributed over the whole of Taranaki—would be sufficient to secure the allocation. , He did not know if it would be possible to give an estimate of the actual tonnage required, but they could pass a resolution pledging themselves to support the proposal. The direct shipping would undoubtedly effect a big saving in both time and freight. Mr. Sheat thought no importer could afford to refuse to support this proposal. Mr. .T. Taylor thought that the shipping would naturally come this way. A certain quantity had to come to Taranaki, and would come through New Plymouth. They need only pledge themselves to support this proposal. Mr. Bridger moved: "Recognising the many advantages of a dil'ec-t shipping service to New Plymouth, this meeting of importers pledges itself to place all possible importations through this port." Mr. Gladstone seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.—Argus.

THE BILL PASSED. By Teloerapb.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Electric Power Boards Amendment Bill was further considered by the House of Representatives in committee to-night. In clause 12, Mr. D. G. Sullivan v Avon), moved that the remuneration of Aocal bodies for collecting rates be intreased from 2J per cent, to 5 per cent, "tfhe amendment was rejected by 47 votes lo 11. Clause 14 provided that, if a local body determined to collect any rate tnder the Bill it must cause a Valuation roll to be provided for the purpose. Many members opposed this on p.ccount of the expense to local bodies. Mr. J. A. Nash (Palmcrston North) rsoved an amendment giving local bodies the option, of using the existing rolls trher e practicable. Tho Minister (Mr. Coates) opposed the amendment on the grounds that it was desirable to keep a Power-' Board independent of all other bodies. The amendment was lost by 33 votes to 27. The Bill wa3 then reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed .