POWER CHARGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22862, 18 October 1937, Page 12

POWER CHARGES

BULK SIJITLY KATES NECESSITY FOR REDUCTION VIEW OF BOARDS' CONFERENCE [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN* CORRESPONDENT] "WELLINGTON, Sunday Two years ago tho Power Boards and Supply Authorities' Association brought down a very full report upon the question of bulk supply charges, but has not yet been able to complete arrangements with the Minister of Public Works, tho Hon. 1?. Seinple, and his department. The association at its conference decided to make further representations to the Government, the opinion of the association being summed up in the following remit brought forward by the executive committee: — "(a) That since the inception of Government hydro-electric supply, tho cost of distributing electricity to tho people of tho Dominion lias boon greatlv reduced, and supply authority areas now include approximately 97 per cent of tho population of the Dominion. "(b) That no reduction has been made by the Government in the cost of bulk power to distributing authorities, and in some cases such cost is now being raised. "(c) That as bulk power now constitutes approximately one-third of tho total costs of giving retail supply, and this proportion is rising relatively as other costs come down, the Minister is earnestly asked to consider giving soino relief by lowering bulk power charges. "That this association has been, and still is, not unmindful of the department's difficulties, and urges upon tho Minister that consideration be given to the bulk supply report adopted by the 1935 conference of this association. The report was the result of prolonged consideration by a representative cotnmittco of the association. It was recommended by both engineers and secretaries, and adopted by the main conference. Tho association respectfully points out to the Minister that tho report was an endeavour by tho association to co-operate with his department in a matter vitally concerning them both. Tho association would therefore be glad to have tho department's reply intimating its views on tho proposals submitted in the report.