POWER BOARD RATE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 301, 15 September 1933, Page 6

POWER BOARD RATE

Problems of Collection Palmerston North, September 14. There was a short discussion on the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board’s uniform rate of l-16d. in the £1 at yesterday’s meeting of the Pohangina County Council when copies of the special order were received. The chairman, Mr. S. Strahan,, a-sked what would be the county's liability if the rate was not collected. The clerk, Mr. A. SL Orgias, said the county was liable for the amount, The power board rating demands could not be sent out with the ordinary rating demands this year. ’ Back sections which were connected with front sections which wore liabile for the rate would also be liable. Cr. W. Howell considered that the back country where there was little dairying was being penalised in that it was paying a subsidy to the good of the dairying land. The chairman thought the unjust aspect of the rate was that power was not available to some farmers unless there was a return of 171 per cent, on the money invested in the power lines. Already a reduction had been given to those who were fortunate enough to have the power connected on a 12i per cent, basis.

Cr. Howell remarked that tho majority of the members of the power board lived in the latter areas. The council took no action in the matter.