PREPARATION FOR QUOTA ALLOWANCE OF ELECTRICITY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22823, 18 December 1948, Page 6

PREPARATION FOR QUOTA ALLOWANCE OF ELECTRICITY

Investigations into the quota system of electric power, which is to be adopted by the P.B. Electric Power Board, are being proceeded with as quickly as possible, stated the managing secretary, Mr. R. P. Baigent, at yesterday’s meeting of the board. In giving a general outline of the proposed scheme, Mr. Baigent said that for the purposes of the quota, the consumption of electricity over the year from October 1, 1947 to September 31, 1948 for each household was being taken. The year’s consumption would be split into two periods, which would give a summer and a winter quota.

However if the consumption only was taken as the basis of the quota, the man who had not co-operated with the board in restricting the use of electricitv over the past 12 months would have an unfair advantage over the person who had observed economy. For this reason meter readers were ascertaining the number of persons in each household, said Mr. Baigent. The quota would then be based on past consumption and per capita in the household. A standard quota for certain households would probably have to be arrived at, after which the consumer would have the right of appeal to the board, concluded Mr. Baigeiit.