Electricity Charges

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 180, 2 August 1938, Page 6

Electricity Charges

NATIONAL FLAT BATE SOON? ABOLITION OF GUANANTEES 2 Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 1. Revision of electric power cnarges *'ith the possibility of a national flat rate and the abolition of guarantee! now required from copsumers, were plans of the Government, said the Hon R. Semple when he met the Banks Peninsula Electricity Power Board at a conference this morning. The Minister added that reform of power charges was vitally necessary, but could not be accomplished immediately because of the mass of investigation required. He proposed, however, to call a conference of power-supply authorities to discuss the matter. The problem of reviewing the power «ystem from a national point of view had been worrying him ever since he became Minister. He was very con* cerned that about 30,000 people in the Dominion could not get power because of the high guarantees required. Changes in power-supply matters could not be expected this year. Information was now being gathered, and if the Government were returned at the end of the year, reorganisation would take place. "My own view is that possibly very ■hortly there will be a national flat rata for electricity," declared the Minister. *The burden of establish* ment costs has been overcome and the country is now nearing the stage where rates could be revised and the question of abolishing guarantees discussed'’