Auckland Power Profits Criticised

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 687, 12 June 1929, Page 11

Auckland Power Profits Criticised

WAIKATO GRIEVANCE SOME PLAIN TALKING (From Our Own Correspondent) HAMILTON, Today. A lively discussion on the operations of various power boards in the Auckland district, in which several concerns were freely criticised, took place at the meeting of the Central Electric Power Board at Hamilton today. When reporting on the recent conference of power board engineers, Mr. J. G. Ellis, engineer-manager, stated that the opinion was expressed that power for cooking and heating was becoming an increasing burden on boards, especially at peak-load times. There was no need for alarm, but the position should he closely watched. Loading was becoming very heavy during the day and some other method of charging might be necessary soon. Mr. Livingstone asked whether the Central Board’s area would be affected. Mr. Ellis replied that it was unlikely any change would be necessary for some time, as there was ample power from Arapuni. “There is a mad scramble going on among power boards for high profits,” declared Mr. W. Lee Martin, M.P. “The consumer is not considered.” A member: Look at Auckland. Mr. Lee Martin said that consumers of the Auckland and other boards were not geting “a fair spin." Charges were reduced by only 6d last year after the Auckland board had made a profit of £48,000. He pointed out that the Auckland board was working under a special Act of Parliament, which gave it an unfair advantage over other boards. Mr. Ellis said there was no suggestion that the charges at present would have to be altered. “When I read about the Arapuni scheme I thought that the production of power would be on an equitable basis for everybody,” said Mr. W. Henry. He added that the Hamilton Borough Council was making money out o fits electricity concern, and profits were diverted for other purposes. He asked: “Is this fair?” Mr. E. T. Peacocke: Well, you can't blame the council when the Government allows it. Mr. Henry: It is wrong because Hamilton would not he heer but for the farmers behind it. At a later stage of the meeting Mr. H. Boyd suggested the board should approach the Government for a scheme to place power cost and distribution on a better footing. Thames Valley, Franklin and the Central Boards used far more electricity than many others and something should be done to reduce the charge. People were looking to the boards for a change. The chairman, Mr. T. H. Hinton, considered that the board should wait until the Arapuni scheme was functioning properly before taking any action. Mr. Lee Martin said there should be a uniform rate throughout the country. Mr. Boyd remarked that the Auckland board could get cheap power and make enormous profits, while country boards shared all the risk with the lines running from Arapuni through their territory. It was unfair to the farmers.

The discussion ended with no reso lution being passed.