TRADING DEPARTMENTS AND TOWN HALL.

Evening Star, Issue 19327, 13 August 1926, Page 8

TRADING DEPARTMENTS AND TOWN HALL.

TO THE EDITOE. Sir,—l notice in tlio report of the Citv Council’s Gas Committee that Cr Chirk made reference to the minimum charge of £1 per year for gas coppers, also to tlio electric department’s charge of 10s per k.w. for electric ranges for cooking purposes. I beg to endorse his remarks, and hope to see all councillors take the businesslike view Cr Clark has taken in this matter. As for Cr Scott’s remarks that it is not the right thing to ask the general ratepayers who do not use gas to pay for those who uso a great deal, I would like to ask Cr Scott through you docs lie think it right and fair to those of us who are largo users of gas and electricity, from whic.h the council has made a huge profit, that _the profits from our uso of them should go to provide a Town Hall for the ratepayers who do not uso gas or electricity, and do.es ho think it right that the to-day users of gas and electricity should pay for all the improvements that have been and' are being carried out? Surely the present generation should get some benefits. Most homes that are built to-day will install an up-to-date means of heating water, and this water system is adapted so that it can be used in the washhouse,_ and probably household washings will require the gas under the copper at most, say, two hours in one day per week. Let me refer to the guarantee of _2os per year for gas coppers, and remind Cr Scott that the Gas Committee has not given this subject the consideration we should expect. Is .this charge of 20s per year over and above what wo use?' 1 understand wo have to pay £1 per year whether that amount is used or not. Have those who cook with gas have to pay £1 per year for our gas coppers, or is a separate meter to bo installed? Cr Clark has. mentioned the charge of 10s per k.w. on electric cookers. Both the.se charges are unfair and are only another way to get extra revenue from the users of gas coppers and electric ranges. I say the time is opportune for all users of gas and electric ranges I

to (Mmbino and demand from the council a reduction in price. Think for a moment' of any private company or firm showing such a huge profit from anything pertaining to tho cost of living (as gas and electricity both do). Why, it would bo had up before the Board of Trade for exploiting the public. What has Cr Scott to say?—l am, etc., Malcolm Stevenson*. 'August 13.