A MEETING was held in Bemboka, reported in the Bega District News in September, 1945, on discussions on post-war financial assistance for the electrification of Bemboka and district. Various speakers put their arguments for hydro-electricity forward.
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COUNCILLOR Taylor appealed to the Bemboka people not to be frightened of the guarantee, but to connect with electricity and they would never regret it.
Electricity would make their homes and farms different places. Then they wanted the Tantawangalo water scheme.
The government had never given them anything, but they must do it now if the people were to be kept on the farms.
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Their federal member, Mr Fraser, was interesting himself in these matters, and they looked to him to help them. Mr Fraser was a good man
Cr WE Collins said he was the baby of the County Council, having been on only six months or so, but long enough to appreciate what the councillors before him had done.
The hydro scheme was started in wartime when there were restrictions on many things, but the scheme had come through with flying colours.
He did not vote for Mr Fraser at last election - it was not his policy - but he appreciated what Mr Fraser was doing, and a lot of others felt the same way.
He could look back to the time when they had the drudgery of hand milking.
Then they got a little engine, which was also something of a drudgery, taking half an hour to start on a cold morning.
Now those who had electricity had merely to touch a button and start off.
It was council's desire take it to all the farms.
If they had any difficulties they should consult the county clerk, who was out to help them, and council desired to give satisfaction to all.
Cr Handcock said he had nothing to do with organising the dinner or the meeting.
It had been organised by the people.
Regarding the hydro, he could take them right back to the days when the late Mr Finn and he were advocating it.
It was the intention of the County Council to have the current on every farm, and he hoped he would see that day.
Council had to borrow money, every penny of which had to be repaid, and that must come from the people who sued the current.
The fly in the ointment was that it was too dear for most of them, and that was where government assistance should come in.
Money was cheap now and it should not be long before council could extend further.
Dear money would keep any country back, and the great capitalistic system filled the pockets of the money lenders to the detriment of the country.
In 150 years no country has developed as fast as Australia, but they must realise that there must be more population if they were to hold this country.