SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23208, 6 March 1939, Page 11

SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTIONS

RETAIL ELECTRICITY RATES YEARLY SAVING OF £IO,OOO [Per United Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, March 6. In a statement the Hon, R. Semple says he lias found it possible to redeem the promise made during the negotiations with the Southland Power Board, and announces a substantial reduction in his Department’s rental electricity rates through the whole of Southland. These apply to all retail, domestic, farm users, and consumers’ existing tariff, but not to the supply authorities and their consumers who purchase power in bulk for retail purposes. Reductions have also been made in the tariff to shops, hotels, offices, churches, schools, and libraries. “ Owing to the widespread reticulation, it is impossible to read all of the 12,000 meters by March 31, so the reductions will not start on a particular date, but from each consumer’s guarantee year. In any case, all the accounts commehce on the new reduced charges not later than the end of April.” The present schedule is: First 21 units. 6Jd per unit; next 21, 4d; next 43, 2}d; in excess, IJd, The new schedule: First 22 units, 6d; next 100, 2Jd; next 100, Id. There are also reductions on ranges, radiators, irons, radios, and cleaners. The Minister estimates that the reductions will aggregate £IO,OOO per annum.