Group to study power price in S.I.

Press, 4 December 1978, Page 7

Group to study power price in S.I.

Electricity tariff conces-1 1 sions for the South have come a step closer. After a meeting called by the Minister of Energy (Mr Gair) in Christchurch on Friday, a consultative working group was set up to discuss proposals for concessions. Representatives of South Island regional development councils and other involved parties attended the meeting. The scene was now set for putting into effect a concessional tariffs policy which could become one’ of the most important regional development incentives available for the South Island, Mr Gair told the meeting. He said that, this was a “full opportunity” for an exchange of views and to set up a working party. Mr Gair called for discussion on various points, including the level of. concession necessary to produce the desired results—a concession of up to 25 per cent for a five-year term had been discussed.

1 Criteria by which to judge dhow industries seeking con-; (cessions contribute to regional and national development and how those conces-i ’ sions would be applied where; • they would do most good! were also discussed. : The working group comprises two regional representatives, Messrs D. R. Hun- . ter (Otago) and B. J. Mills ! (Nelson): two electrical supply authorities representa- ■ fives, Messrs S. Duff and A. . Heir; two Department of i Trade and Industry repre- ■ sentatives, Mr W. Falconer . and Dr J. Yeabsley; and two • Ministry of Energy reprej • sentatives, Messrs D. Cook! and C. Ryder. i The working party would) - be asked to prepare detailed > proposals for circulation to) all who attended the meeting,) - said Mr Gair. “This is with a view to) - getting their responses and 5 completing firm proposals to i be put to Government for i adoption and, in time, for ■ I application, probably by ‘April 1 next year,” he said.