USE OF ELECTRICITY

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 225, 19 June 1931, Page 5

USE OF ELECTRICITY

Reduction in Charges HUTT POWER BOARD i After two and a half hours’ discussion the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board yesterday adopted the recommendations of the engineer and general manager, Mr. E. F. Hollands, to increase the discount to consumers from one penny in the shilling to one penny and a half-penny. The discount for slot meters will be one penny in the shilling. Previously there was no discount. Mr. Hollands estimates that this will mean approximately £11,250 being pased on to the consumers during the year, or an increase of £3750. “By increasing the discount from 81-3 per cent, to 12£ per cent, all charges for energy will be automatically reduced,” he said. A discount of 10 per cent, will be allowed on all accounts for service charges if paid within thirty days of the date of the rendering of the account. A previous resolution of the board adopting reductions of a half-penny a unit (but leaving the discount rate at one penny in the shilling) for domestic lighting, commercial and industrial lighting and churches and public schools lighting was rescinded on the motion of Mr. L. Stewart. Domestic Lighting. By the board’s resolution, said Mr. Stewart, speaking to his motion, the money which was to be passed on as discount would be narrowed down to three groups. He wanted to narrow it down to one group—the domestic lighting group. “My chief reason for not giving it to schools and churches,” he continued, ‘is because their contributions to the board s revenue are insignificant. Halls are used for pleasure and therefore should not be considered. Part of the present depression, 1 am told, is caused through the over-spending on pleasure such as motor-cars, pictures, and such like. “The domestic consumers are the board’s best customers,” continued Mr. Stewart. “They contribute practically two-thirds of the board’s revenue, and they are passing through troublous times. When the board made a reduction in the wages of its staff it was generally understood the money so saved was to be applied to domestic users only.” “Patting on tiro Batik.” “This board has been in the habit of calling itself the best board in New Zealand. lam afraid we are all suffering from strained arms through our continual patting of ourselves on the back. It is not the best board in New Zealand by a long way. It has the makings of being the best board through its favoured position.” The motion was seconded by Mr. S. Blackley. He agreed with Mr. Stewart concerning the lighting rates for halls, churches and picture theatres, but he did not agree that the money should be devoted altogether to domestic users. Mr. Barber supported the motion. Mr. A. J. Hobbs considered that no useful purpose could be served by reopening the question. As far as possible, said Mr. W. H. Lawrence, all consumers should be on the same basis. For that reason he could not support the motion. To give all the discount to lighting would not encourage consumers to install ranges, said Mr. A. W. Press. He considered also that the adoption of the resolution constituted a departure from the engineer's recommendations and gave preferential treatment. Cannot Separate Consumers. “We cannot separate the consumers,” said the chairman, Mr. A. Walker. “I think the resolution as passed was quite equitable and just. The motion to rescind was carried by seven votes to four. The whole matter now being reopened for discussion, Mr. Hobbs warned the board against making such a reduction in rates that it l might be'found necessary to increase the rates again for the sake of the balance. "That,” he said, “would give the consumers such a jar as they would not forget.” Mr. Blackley moved that the recommendations of the engineer and general manager be the new rates for the current year, while Mr. A. J. McCurdy moved as an amendment that the reductions apply to domestic lighting, commercial and industrial lighting, and churches and schools' lighting. Both were seconded.. “The board ought to be fair all round and , not discriminate between lighting, heating and cooking,” said Mr. Blackley, speaking to his motion. “By reducing (he lighting rate a halfpenny a unit we shall not get one additional consumer on our lines. By decreasing the heating and cooking rates we may get additional consumers."

“Grossly Unfair.” Mr. Stewart maintained the whole discount should be applied to the domestic lighting group. “It seems to me,” he said, “the domestic users have been carrying the baby for others.” “It would be grossly unfair,” said Mr. Barber, “to allocate the whole of the discount to the lighting consumers. I agree with Mr. Blackley the distribution should be equal right through. I am in favour of making the facilities cheaper for working people to install ranges, as cooking by electricity is the greatest boon that the housewife can have.”

Supporting the motion, Mr. Andersou said he was very pleased indeed to find that members were now altering their minds in favour of encouraging cooking and heating by electricity. He favoured the selling of ranges at a reasonable price and giving the consumer time to pay. Referring to a comparative statement of charges with other boards made bjfcMr. Stewart, Mr. Press said: “In my opinion the Wellington City Council rates are political rates, and ours are on sound commercial business lines. The house lighting may be cheap, but the commercial lighting rates are heavy. I do not know why the people do not object. As far as the board is concerned I think we should not depart from our basic rates.” He favoured reverting to the engineer and general manager’s original recommendation. “I-think the board is fortunate.” said Mr. E. Windley, “in having an engineergeneral manager who is able to give it a lead.”

With the permission of members Mr. Stewart moved an amendment that the whole of the discount be applied to domestic lighting, but it was lost. _ Mr. Blackley’s motion, with the addition that a penny discount, instead of the lid., should be allowed on slot meters, was carried. Mr. A. Anderson dissented, and Mr. Stewart abstained from voting.