ELECTRICITY RATES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 72, 18 December 1937, Page 30

ELECTRICITY RATES

Chairman Gives Reasons For Reductions The reasons for the Hutt Valley Ele<trie Power Board reducing its domestic rates were given by the chairman, Mr. A. W. Press, at the monthly meeting of the board. JVhile there had been comparisons in the past with the city rates which weir unfavourable to the board, consumers who were prepared to become all-round users of electricity would have no cause (o complain in the future, he said. A comparison with the 1929 rates demonstrated the reductions that had been made. in 1929 primary units were sixpence a unit and 150 units then cost the consumer 25/-, or twopence a unit. From January, 1938, the primary units would cost 41(1, and the secondary three-farthings, less discounts, making the net unit rate approximately 13-15(1. One hundred and fifty unit? was the approximate average for a moderate-sized house using electrie lighting, heating and cooking. In the past, the board had not been insensible to the fact that the large number of consumers not using electric ranges was out of proportion to the number connected to the svsteni and realised that the main reason for lack of balance was principally due to the cost per unit. The board’s area of supply was 600 square miles. It was not with tlie thought of competition that the board bad made such attractive rates. It was solely with the object of load building, to create a wider diversity and to encourage consumers to install electric ranges. Those who had not installed electric rangds had not been overlooked, as an increase in the adjustable discount of slightly more than four per cent, had been made to them. It was hoped to make the price of electricity so low that no one could afford to'lie without a fully-equipped- electrical home.