Power Board Control

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 72, 18 December 1935, Page 13

Power Board Control

Bir, —I think it is time .power boards were brought under some unity of control somewhat similar to that which is in operation in Victoria, where a few experts in electrical manufacture and distribution, finance, and business methods, decide the policy and control of the whole of the distribution both wholesale and retail of the sale of electricity throughout the State. In New Zealand the present method of electing perhaps a few farmers and others to govern each board is ridiculous, and Gilbertian in some cases. How can these men be expected to adapt the correct policies involving all the technicalities and business details of a power supply authority when perhaps not one of them is the least fitted to judge the merits or demerits of even a very simple business problem? There are at present iu New Zealand nearly 40 power boards, as well as other supply authorities, and they all have different scales of charges; even in the domestic rates there is a bewildering number of different charges all tending to confuse a consumer and stop him from making full use of electricity. One authority will charge less for one class of supply than, another, but will have to charge more for some other class to balance things up. So a complicated multiplicity of rates has been built up throughout New Zealand, which would be almost impossible to understand. Another item of discrepancy between ■boards is the guarantee required before a line can be built. In one district a group of prospective consumers has to guarantee in current consumed or equivalent in cash 20 per cent, per annum for 10 years on the capital cost of the line. In the next board the guarantee required is, only 16 per cent, for 5 years, a considerable difference. In conclusion, I think, Sir, that as the hydro-electrical branch of the Public Works is a most up-to-date and efficient department, which already distributes electricity to most supply authorities; it could be enlarged and the necessary appointments made so that the whole of the secondary and rjjail side of the distribution would bo under its management. Until this or something similar ,is done there can be no uniformity with the management and retailing of this universal necessity, electricity.—l am, etc., OBSERVER. Eketahuna, December 16.