‘Poor Taste’ On Electricity

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30672, 11 February 1965, Page 1

‘Poor Taste’ On Electricity

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 10. Poor taste had been shown by the president of the Municipal Electric Supply Authorities’ Association (Mr E. Whittleston) in making a premature public statement on a subject dealt with by a committee of which he was a member, said the chairman of the Electric Power Boards of New Zealand (Mr R. N. White) of Auckland today.

Mr Whittleston had said in Wellington yesterday that his association would press for the reorganisation of electrical distribution on a territorial local government basis. He felt any financial sur-

pluses should be used towards the relief of rates and other financial burdens facing municipalities and counties.

Mr White said Mr Whittleston’s statement was merely the reiteration of a nebulous scheme covering the Taupo area put forward to the committee comprising members of both organisations. “It never had any real foundation,” he said. “The Electric Power Boards of New Zealand had considered the suggestions which arose from the four committee meetings and has approved of all except that relating to the transfer of surpluses from the sale of electricity toward reduction in municipal and county rates.

“It is felt that if this were permissible for power supply authorities, the Government could apply the same principle in fixing its charges so as to assist the Consolidated Fund.

“The power boards believe it is their duty to distribute power as cheaply as possible and not to load their charges to keep down city, borough and county rates. “To do so would mean that the domestic consumer who might be a pensioner would be loaded for the benefit of a ratepayer who might be a land speculator, factory or large department store. “Furthermore, all country consumers would be exploited to provide urban amenities which they might never enjoy,” said Mr White. Mr White said the views of the power boards had been sent to the Minister of Electricity (Mr Shand) from whom a statement was expected.