INERT GAS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1920, Page 4

INERT GAS.

All users of gas will be interested in the report of the Auckland Prices Investigation Committee on the subject of the quality of the gas supplied in the northern city. Considering that in most articles supplied to the public safeguards have been applied by the legislature, it is surprising that the quality of coal gas has remained untouched by legislation. The result of this omission has been that consumers have been compelled to pay for inert gas and water .gas in < large quantities and of little use, the charges being based on the volume of gas and air passing through the meters, irrespective of the heating or lighting value In all fairness it must be admitted the various ga3 works throughout the Dominion have been severely handicapped by the coal shortage, but that fact is not much consolation to the public, who have not only had their patience severely tried by the poorness of the gas supplied, as -well as the frequent stoppage of the supply, but have had to pay full price for a commodity the constituents of which are of little value. The Auckland tribunal has directed attention to the means whereby this injustice can and should be remedied, and the recommendations made are such as call for practical enforcement. The main remedy proposed is simplo and effective, and would ensure the consumers obtaining value for their money. The proposal that consumers should be charged for the volume of gas supplied upon a basis of heat units is quite businesslike, and its adoption should give universal satisfaction to consumers. It will involve frequent tests by competent officers, unless some reliable automatic testing apparatus is evolved that can be affixed to the main supply pipes and be open to inspection at ail reasonable hours. It is quite possible this system would necessitate a slight increase in the price of gas, but there is little doubt that the public would be willing, and would probably find it cheaper in the long run, to j pay by results than to be charged a lower price and have 1 to pay for inert gasses of low heat value. The matter is one which seriously concerns a very large number of householders who rely on gas for cooking and heating, so that legislative sanction to the' proposed remedy for the present evil will be | heartily welcomed.