Electricity charges

Press, 28 February 1980, Page 18

Electricity charges

. Sir, — Are the City Council’s actions coming home to roost? I do not condone consumers not paying their just dues but I believe there is some moral justification in the case of resistance by New Brighton residents. The council’s elimination of competition from the healthiest, most efficient, economical, cheapest and most satisfactory method of home heating — the open fire — has generated an unnecessary

demand for electric heating, one of the unhealthiest, inefficent, expensive and least satisfactory methods of home heating. Extra profits from the Municipal Electricity Department bring undue hardship to the disadvantaged single, low-in-come families, the aged, and sick. Christchurch has probably done more to boost domestic consumer power charges than any other city in New Zealand. It is therefore in no position to expect special concession rates from the Government. I was amazed that so few people were concerned for the inevitable consequences which would follow the council’s city-wide ban on open fires. — Yours, etc., L. H. CARMICHAEL. February 27, 1980. Sir, — I wish to take issue with W. H. Daly (February 26) and S. D. Brown, (February 27), and their alarmingly depressing account of their hardships in paying increased electricity costs as wage earners. The letters could not be penned by the beneficiaries, to whom newspapers are a luxury. Could this be the reason why beneficiaries do not appear to be part of the protest group. Their silence provides the answer; I pay tribute to the memory of Norman Kirk. His humanitarian policies ensured dignity in adversity of age, with fulfilment of election promises, concessions and increased benefits, immediately costs rose. Under our present administrators, these all ceased. Pears Encyclopaedia 1979, quotes Zealand as being world renowned for social welfare services. This is surely out of date. The poverty level our aged have been reduced to, is a sad reflection. Those who cannot or will not pay their electricity costs should cut their coat according to their cloth. The beneficiaries have to. — Yours, etc., E. V. M. MYERS. February 27, 1980.