THE ELECTRICAL SUPPLY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 9, 10 January 1914, Page 5

THE ELECTRICAL SUPPLY.

AGAINST THE LICENSE. ■ [To Thf Editor Stratford Post. | Sir, —The side issues introduced into the correspondence concerning the attempt by the Electrical Supply Co. to secure a further 42 years’ extension of the present concession have somewhat clouded the issue. The following urgent reasons for not signing tlig petition now being circulated are submitted for consideration: — The present concession expires in September, 1919, and it no extension is granted, the burgesses can, during the next 5.V years, at a reasonable and just cost, secure their own. lighting system.

With a Municipal-owned system and one therefore not conducted for private gain the cost of current would be greatly reduced. Dunedin Municipality charges 5d per unit for the first U hours. All subsequent current at Id per unit. Current used for power is 2d per unit, down as low as onethird of a penny per unit. (See New Zealand Year Book for confirmation).

Burgesses are specially requested to note that the Stratford price arranged 15 years ago, was 7d per unit not. The price to-day is 7d net, and under the proposed license the price for the next 40 years would be 7d net.

The light for the people should be controlled by the people and no private profit should be secured - from it. The people should resist any attempt to alienate their rights. The origin of the petition is obscure. The only people who can financially benefit by the proposed license the [Electrical Supply Company. I The burgesses’ representatives, the Borough Council, unanimously opposed the proposed license, as inimical to the welfare of the Borough, and therefore any burgesses signing the petition, express their want of confidence in their representatives. I am firmly of opinion that the County desire for current is not genjeral, and if any burgesses have already signed the petition in the belief that the petition has emanated direct from the County, they should cancel their signatures.—l am, etc.,

J. FREBRTC Stratford, January 9th.