CHARGE FOR BULK ELECTRICITY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27147, 17 September 1953, Page 10

CHARGE FOR BULK ELECTRICITY

Petitioners Seek Reduction DEBATE ON COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 16.

A petition signed by J. W. Wright and 1278 others seeking an investigation of bulk supply electricity charges, with a view to reducing the charge to domestic consumers, was today referred to the Government for consideration by a Public Petitions Committee of the House of Representatives.

Mr H. E. Combs (Opposition, Onslow) said that most of toe petitioners lived in the Taita area, but had the petition been circulated more widely people from all parts of toe country would have signed. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) supported Mr Combs, and protested against the imposition of “abnormally high” service charges. Mr M. Moohan (Opposition, Petone) said the committee’s recommendation should have been that toe petition be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration. People were being charged far more for power than would cover the State Hydro-electric Department’s losses, he said.

The Minister in charge of the department (Mr W. S. Goos man) said the committee’s finding was unanimous. Although the petition sought an inquiry into power charges, an inquiry by an expert committee had been held before the charges were raised. Fewer boards had expressed their satisfaction with the charges.

The Minister said the arrangement with the power boards was for the department to recover its losses over the next two years, but if there was any surplus it would be transferred to the following period to reduce the charges. “If there is still a loss at the end of two years, it is to be recovered in in the next three years,” toe Minister continued.

Mr Goosman said he was not able to comment on service charges, but the anomalous cases which members of the Opposition had put forward would be investigated. Most power boards, he said, were making a service charge. Mr P. Kearins (Opposition, Waimarino) said that if the Government was going to pay off the cost of the biggest hydro-electric station in New Zealand—the Maraetai station—in 10 or 12 years, the people would have to realise that they had to pay higher prices. This was good for future generations, but disastrous for the

consumers today. ‘‘l suggest that it would be fair to toe people if the -"nital cost of hydroelectricity development were spread over 70 or 80 years at least,” he said. Maraetai could still be in use in 1000 years, and yet its cost was to be paid off within 10 or 12 years. “Why, the State Advances Corporation spreads the loan on a wooden house over 40 years,” he added. The discussion was ended by toe tea [adjournment

BUYING OF AMERICAN CARS COMMITTEE REPORTS ON PETITION (New Zealand Press Association) . WELLINGTON, September 16. /You prefer a continuation of the black market?” asked Mr J Mathison (Opposition. Avon), in the House of Representatives this afternoon, when Mr J. G. Barnes (Government. St. Hilda) reported that a Public PetiJMBW Committee of the House had no recomffiendation to make on a petition seeking an inquiry into circumstances relating to the purchase of American cars. The petition was signed by A. P. O Shea, general secretary of Federated Fanners, and 24 others. They had claimed that would-be purchasers of American cars had been told that to obtain an American vehicle they must first purchase an English tractor. Such action by persons who had been given toe privilege of landing goods under toe import licensing system was an abuse of that privilege, they o claimed. The petitioners asked for legislative action to curb toe alleged practice.

PARLIAMENTARY DAY (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON. September 17. Urgency was taken in the House of Representatives yesterday for passing the Land and Income Tax (annual) Bill, which fixes the rates of taxation to be levied this year. The House was kept sitting late. Yesterday afternoon, most of the time of the House was taken up by a discussion on a report from a Public Petitions Committee on a petition asking the Government to investigate electricity charges. The committee recommended further consideration of toe petition by the Government. Six bills other than toe 7 .and and Income Tax Bill were given a third reading and passed. They were the Royal Powers Bill, the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture Bill, the Petroleum Amendment Bill the Workers’ Compensation Amendment Bill,, the Public Works Amendment Bill, and toe Transport Amendment Bill. The House adjourned at 12.28 a.m. today. It will resume at 2.30 p.m.. and toe Budget debate will be continued.