GAS REGULATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 22, 26 July 1927, Page 10

GAS REGULATIONS

GENERAL APPLICATION

CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES

MINISTER'S ADDRESS

The genesis of the Gas Regulations was outlined by the Hon. A. D. M'Leod to-day at the opening of a conference in Parliament Buildings between the Department of Industries and Commerce and representatives of gas undertakings in the Dominion. Eighteen of the undertakings are directly represented, and six sent apologies for nonattendance. The- main purpose of the Gas Regulations, which have operated for nearly two years in the main centres, is to fix standards of pressure, calorific value, and the price of gas. In addressing the conference Mr. M'Leod said that it had been called with a view to applying the Board of Trade Gas Regulations to about twentyfour gas undertakings in New Zealand. Although delegates were not present representing air those invited, all the undertakings were accounted for, as some of the delegates present were representing more than one company, and some of the companies had replied that they had no objection to coming under the regulations.; He especially ■welcomed the attendance of Mr. James Kennedy, of Greymouth, who was looked upon as the father of the industry in New Zealand, owing to his long association,' extending over 50 years. "To make the position clear as to the genesis of the Gas Regulations, Mr. M'Leod said the matter had been before Parliament for many years. In almost every session, prior to the gazetting of the regulations, the Government was urged to bring down legislation on the lines adopted in other British communities for the main purpose of allowing the consumers to pay for gas according to its calorific value. In 1918 his Department advocated the payment for gas on a thermal unit basis, but it was subsequently decided to continue for a time the system of payment on a cubic foot basis. During the war period and immediately afterwards the application of any regulations was difficult, and little was done, despite continued pressure in Parliament, until three years ago, when regulations were made under the provisions of the Board of Trade Act. These regulations provide for four main "features —heating value, purity, pressure, and price, and were gazetted on 25th August of. that year. One of the early steps after the regulations came into force was to appoint a chief as examiner nnd gas referee, Dr. Maelaurin, with whom were associated Mr. R. W. Holmes and Mr. A. Ford as referees. SATISFACTORY NEGOTIATIONS. As a further preliminary step the Minister then called upon tho four gas undertakings at Auckland, "Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin to declare the calorific valuo of the gas it was intended should be supplied, and to state the maximum price or prices per thousand cubic feet at which it was proposed to sell gas of the declared calorific value. It was further indicated to these undertakings that the Department would inquiro into the cost of production and distribution of gas. All these negotiations were satisfactorily finalised, and it could bo fairly claimed that tho associations between tho Government officers and those now included in the regulations had been of the most satisfactory nature.

A further necessary step to carry out the regulations was the appointment of gas examiners and inspectors of meters. Those appointments had been made, and tho testing by official inspectors iv the four main centres had been iv operation for some time. Tho general administration of the regulations, as he had indicated, was under his control as Miiiister. Mr. J. W. Collins, secretary of tho Department of Industries and Commerce, iv conjunction with Dr. Maelaurin, would give the delegates any information bearing on tho operation of tho regulations and would also outline tho procedure proposed to be adopted with regard to those companies which it was now suggested should bo brought in under the schedule. NO DIFFICULTY FORESEEN. "May I express the hope," added Mr. M'Leod in conclusion, "that as a result of this meeting a full understanding will bo arrived at between the delegates and the departmental officers. Should, however, thero be any question of difficulty arising out of tho discussion I shall be pleased to meet you again. At tho momont, I cai\not foresee any point of difficulty which is likely to arise which will mako this courso necessary." After Mr. M'Leod had retired, Mr. Collins was appointed chairman. General discussion took place as to tho interpretation of the regulations, and satisfactory replies were given. Tho conferonco was still in .progress at the timo of going to press.