POWER FOR EVERYBODY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4054, 30 May 1938, Page 5

POWER FOR EVERYBODY

“MAKING ELECTRICITY AVAILABLE.” VIEWS OF POWER BOARD MEMBERS. The advisability of taking a risk in the supply of electric power over an even wider district than at present covered by the authority was emphasised at the monthly meeting of Te Awamutu Electric Power Board on Friday. Mr N. M. Lethbridge, commenting on the reference in the chairman’s annual review, mentioned that certain applicants for power were at present debarred from securing supply owing to inability to provide the stipulated guarantee of revenue of 15 per cent of the cost of installation. Perhaps the Government authorities could be persuaded to reduce their charges for bulk supply. He considered a reduction was long overdue, for it would enable the Board to give greater service to the out-back settlers. An alternative, as suggested by the chairman, was some system of subsidy from the Government. The chairman (Mr J. T. Johnson) stated that the Power Supply Authorities’ Association had rejected a motion by him to make representations in this direction, but times were exceedingly difficult at that period, and now it might be that a more favourable view would be taken. To Mr S. C- B. Macky, the chairman said he proposed to raise the subject again at the next annual conference. ABOUT THE GUARANTEE. It was explained that the Local Bodies’ Loans Board had power to waive the necessity for the stipulated amount of the guarantee in certain cases. Mr Johnson said there should be some better spirit of co-operation between favoured districts and less-fav-oured districts. Mr J. A. G. Sutherland said he would support any proposal for giving supply to areas where there was a prospective demand. Mr Macky commented that he was confident there would be a payable load on the main line to Kawhia, but he agreed that some of the contemplated side lines would not be immediately payable. Mr Sutherland mentioned that not one such line had resulted in a loss. The demand increased steadily, and the line soon became payable. He added that certain roads would not provide a payable load for years and years, and he was not advocating supply there; but where there was a reasonable prospect of a payable load he would like to see the Board take the risk. He realised that all the energies of the Board and its staff were being concentrated on lines where a payable load was assured, but hoped the time would not be far distant when attention could be devoted t»o some of the areas where a prospective payable load could be obtained. GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY URGED. Referring to the subject later in the meeting, Mr Macky urged that representations be made to the Government in the direction of obtaining subsidy on reticulation to supply settlers on back-blocks roads. He moved to that effect.