THERMOSTATS IN COWSHEDS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 13213, 2 August 1943, Page 2

THERMOSTATS IN COWSHEDS

\V H 0 FHOL EL) BR A R THE COST? Discussion By Farmers Deputation 10 Wait On Power' Board The decision of die Taaranga Electric Power Board 10 maxe it compulsory for farmers no instal memos- ! cans on cowshed water heaters with the object of conserving electricity, was discussed at the monthly meet- | log of the Taaranga branch of the | Xew Zealand Farmers' Union on Friday. when it was decided that a deputation wait on the hoard with the object of endeavouring to have the cost of installing the thermostats distributed among all the consumers. The subject was broached’ by Mr C. S. Moffatt who stated that as a result of the Power Board s decision he could see some farmers saddled with an expenditure of anything from £ 5 to £ 20. He did nor. think the farmer should be asked to bear the whole of the cost. The members of the Power Board themselves were, ne thought, not “quite happy" over the position. Mr Moffatt added that he intended to move to the effect that as the proposed changeover was an effort to save electricity for the whole community in the board's area the meeting suggest to the board that the whole of the consumers should contribute. preferably through reserves in the hands of the board. The board, added Mr Moffatt. had built up reserves for certain purposes. and if a small committee were appointed to wait on it and discuss the problem it might be found that this was one of the purposes. It had been stated that the cost of installing the thermostats would be £ or £4. but he thought char, on cop of that the farmer might have to meet other costs, such as for extra wiring, switchboards and, in some eases, new heaters. He had discussed the subject with the chairman of the board.

the engineer and one of the members and they were sympathetic. It had been contended that the farmer would save money by the alteration. “We are not squealing about the costs remaining as they are.” said Mr Moffatt. “but we are squealing about putting our hands in our pockets all the time/' He suggested that two members of the branch should interview the board, and go into the question with a view to putting it on a more equitable basis. { Mr Moffatt agreed to hold his motion over in the meantime, and Mr F. B. Hartstone moved that the president (Mr A. C. Harrison) and Mr Moffatt interview the board with a view to getting the expense connected with the installation of thermostatic control distributed over all the consumers. The motion was seconded by Mr W. Rushton. who was of the opinion that it was not right that the farmer should be expected to carry all the burden. The cost might be greater than they thought. The president said there were many farmers to whom the expenditure might be a distinct hardship. The motion was put to the meeting and carried.