NEW INDUSTRIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 July 1939, Page 3

NEW INDUSTRIES

AUCKLAND TO PRESS CLAIMS PROPOSED ACTION BY POWER BOARD. OFFER OF ASSISTANCE TO FIRMS. (By Telegraph-—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 3. The urgent necessity for Auckland to press its claims as a site for fresh industrial undertakings was emphasised by the chairman of the Auckland Electric Power Board, Mr S. J. Harbutt, at a meeting of the board. After making a statement suggesting practical assistance for such new in dustries, Mr Harbutt said that, unless energetic effort was at once made to get something done, Auckland would continue to see southern cities profiting at its expense.

“I go so far as to suggest that we make an open offer to assist any new industries in establishing works in Auckland,” said Mr Harbutt. “The initial year is always the most difficult. Special assistance at the inception of a new concern is of very vital value. This board has means to attract particularly industries requiring large parcels of power . “I suggest that this assistance be given by way of special discounts during the first year of establishment, each application to be considered on its merits, whereby any special features relating to any new industry can be considered, and maximum assistance given accordingly. “It should be the board's aim to analyse all the various points and give all possible advice, taking notice of possibilities of off-peak loading. In addition we could willingly place the whole of our staff at the disposal of the consulting engineer of any new firm, by advising as to lay-out and most economical usage of electrical power.” Mr Harbutt said that in his opinion the board should immediately get into touch with the committee, which had already been set up by other bodies, to go into the question and to pass on to it the board’s earnest wish to co-oper-ate. He also thought the board should be prepared to assist the committee in its publicity activities. While agreeing that the chairman’s proposal was of great importance to the city, Messrs Irwin Crookes and J. Park said that the board should' not use its staff in any way that would interfere with men in private practice. This had been the policy of the board since its inception, they said, and nothing should be done that would encroach upon private effort. They also suggested that it would be necessary to consider whether assistance should not be given also to established firms, which were attempting to form sub industries. After the chairman had assureci members that it was not his intention to place the board’s staff in competition with private experts, the board decided to make immediate contact with the committee already appointed by other bodies. It was also decided to issue copies of the chairman’s statement to members of the board and to discuss at the next meeting of the board in committee, his suggestions for assistance to new industrial undeitakings.