POWER CHARGES IN SOUTHLAND

Southland Times, Issue 23544, 25 June 1938, Page 6

POWER CHARGES IN SOUTHLAND

PLEA FOR REDUCTION OF RATES PROVINCE “AT SERIOUS DISADVANTAGE” Electricity charges in Southland were discussed, at the conference of local body representatives with members. of Parliament yesterday. The following remit was submitted by the Riverton Borough Council: “That the Government be asked to. reduce the charge for the supply of electric current to consumers in the Southland electric supply district.” Mr J. A. B. Walker said Southland was at a serious disadvantage compared with other districts in the charges made for electricity. He quoted figures to show that charges in other centres were very much cheaper than in Southland. He said the Southland rates were the most costly in New Zealand. The Government had made a very slight reduction, but charges were still outrageous! The chairman (Mr John Miller) said the Invercargill City Council had recently completed a new agreement for the supply of power and he considered the Government was making a mistake in fixing different prices in different districts. Mr W. M. C. Denham, M.P., said he was very sympathetic with the remit. The electricity consumption in Invercargill was much lower than elsewhere because consumers found it necessary to economize. There were very few electric ranges in Invercargill because the charges were too high. .. . The chairman: Because of the climatic conditions. I . Mr Denham said people in Invercargill were afraid to use the radio for long periods. The chairman: That is because of the speeches that are coming over. (Laughter.) Mr Denham said there were difficulties in Southland because of the shortage of supply until the province was linked with Waitaki.