ELECTRIC LIGHTING RATE

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 May 1943, Page 2

ELECTRIC LIGHTING RATE

REDUCTION TO BE CONSIDERED

At a meeting of the Grey Electric Power Board last evening, it was resolved that the Secretary and the Engineer prepare a report for the next meeting on the prospects of reducing the private lighting rate from 6d a unit to 5d a unit. „

The question was raised by Mr. P. Blanchfield with a motion that all consumers who pay 6d a unit for lighting be given a 10 per cent, rebate on their accounts when they pay by the due date. He said that the Board had made just under £9,000 profit last year, and he noticed that the estimates suggested just under £lO,OOO profit next year. The ordinary wage earner was taxed to the utmost at present, and he thought it was up to the Board to cut down on its profit and give back some of it to the consumer. The Board had been giving away the consumers’ money by donations to all sorts of appeals and had invested some of it last year in the Liberty Loan, while it was paying a higher rate of interest, than it was to receive from that loan, on its own loans. Now the Chairman had recommended in his apnual report, which had been adopted, that a further £3,000 be invested this year. He could not conscientiously sit by and see other people’s money being paid away and no effort made to assist the consumer by a reduction in the rate. He felt that even if some of the dredging business were lost the Board should be able, with efficient management, to keep its head above water.

Mr. Smeaton moved an amendment that the Secretary and the ■ Engineerreport on the prospects of adopting a rate of 5d a unit for private lighting. He was optimistic about the future and thought the Board’s profit next year might be something like £15,000. .

Mr. Kent seconded Mr. Smeaton’s amendment. Mr. Blanchfield said that a reduction to 5d a unit would reduce the Board’s revenue by about £4,000. Mr. Smeaton said he was not prepared to accept any individual member’s figures. Mr. Fisher: What do they get as a rebate to-day for prompt payment?

The Secretary: There is no rebate for prompt payment, but there is a 10 per cent, penalty for late payment.

Mr. Unwin: An Irishman’s discount! Mr. Fisher seconded Mr. Blanchfield’s motion.

When the amendment was put to the meeting it was carried by six votes to three.