POWER SUPPLY.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20497, 16 March 1932, Page 13

POWER SUPPLY.

RIGHTS OF RURAL AREAS. f DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. (pa* as association tsliobui.) WELLINGTON, March 15. The rights of rural areas to participate with cities and towns in the benefits of electric power were emphasised by members of local bodies in the Mana-watu-Oroua district,, in the course of a deputation to the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates.

It waß stated that Palmerston North was buying power in bulk, and carrying out its own reticulation and making a big profit, while people in the rural area were paying heavily for power. Wanganui was a full partner in the district scheme and people in rural districts there were enjoying cheaper power than those in Manawatu. It was contended that the four metropolitan areas should be separate entities, and that outside these centres there should be complete amalgamation throughout the Dominion. Power was a public utility. It was asked that the Act be amended so that the Boards could reduce their charges and, in the event of a loss, make a levy on the partner in the' compact who was contributing nothing to the common weal. Replying, Mr Coates said that when the Act was first designed it was impossible to foresee some of the difficulties that would arise. Any legislation would have to take into consideration the implications of existing licenses. The Government wpuld not willingly ride rough-shod over existing licenses, but he thought the Governmeut's policy would be to make the distribution as equitable as possible between town and country. He would ask the Department to marshal all the facts, and after giving due weight to the existing licenses he would see if something could not be done to remedy the position. He thought the Palmerston North Council would take a reasonable attitude.