LIGHTING AND POWER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 127, 1 June 1931, Page 8

LIGHTING AND POWER.

THE BOARD'S DIFFICULTY. INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE. "The board has been awaiting the decision of the Court, and will no doubt ao fullv into the matter," said Mr. R. H Bartley, general manager of the Auckland Power Board, when discussing the question. Mr Bartley said that a corresponding reduction in the cost of power would be too small to pass on; the consumer must not rely on the 10 per cent wages cut for his reduction, which would be provided by other means. The board had been badlv hit by having to resort to steam generation, and although the Government had agreed to pay a portion of the cost, the expenditure of the board was £25,000 greater than would have been the result under the old contract. Furthermore, it might not be possible to do anything until the Government's contribution had been received. "The board," added Mr. Bartley, "must run on sound commercial lines, but at the same time it always has before it the question of what can it do for its consumers. A fact often lost sight of is that benefits to the consumer are not always represented by a reduction in the rate of the board's charges. It is no doubt the phase the consumers notice the most; but added service to the consumer, greater efficiency in the amount of service given, provision of service at all hours are points in respect to which the board has done a tremendous lot. It costs many thousands a year to give this service, and when one is considering a reduction in rates, these factors, which go.to the making up of a successful and efficient public service. x niust be capitalised. It is the duty ol . the executive to do the work and run . the organisation in a way that produces - the highest efficiency, and the consume! is entitled to this." j It was recalled by Mr. Bartley thai e the board had had to regard continuous - supply of power as ahead of the cosl s of production during last year. The - cost the board had not dared to conI eider; it had to have the power.