SALES OF LOCAL ELECTRIC RANGES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 173, 23 July 1931, Page 7

SALES OF LOCAL ELECTRIC RANGES.

NEW ZEALAND ARTICLE PASSES TEST FAVOURABLY

The work of the Electricity Committee of the Manufacturers’ Association in endeavouring to persuade the Municipal Electricity Department to sell Christchurch made electric ranges was reported upon to the executive of the association last evening. It was decided that the Electricity Committee should continue in its efforts, having proved by test that the New Zealandmade range was equal to the imported range handled by the M.E.D.

On behalf of the Electricity Committee, Mr R. 11. Webb reported that its time had been fairly well occupied for the past six months in an endeavour to obtain at least a fair hearing for local manufacturers from the Municipal Electricity Department in regard to electric stoves recently placed on the market. An oven test made at Canterbury College resulted favourably to the local article. Upon analysing the report from Canterbury College, the committee considered that the local stove was able to stand up to the imported article and, in fact, came out rather better.

Mr Webb added that the local stove had been proved by test and the question was now one of salesmanship. It was a matter that could be referred to the conference which was to be held between manufacturers and retailers. Mr E. 'IT. Marriner said that the Government had not accepted a recent tender for Christchurch-made electric stoves, but it was npt known yet whether any other New Zealand-made stove had been selected.

Air J. R. Hayward suggested that the Electricity Committee should see that the M.E.D. was selling the stoves. Another suggestion was that the Electricity Committee and the Development of Industries Committee should co-operate.

A vote of thanks was.accorded Mr Webb and the Electricity Committee for their services.

_ Mr Webb agreed to follow the question up. It was the duty of the manufacturer of the stoves to take action. He did not want the association to be turned into a selling organisation. The suggestion, that the Electricity and Development of Industries Committees should co-operate was adopted. A letter was received from the Municipal Electricity Department notifying the reductions that had been made in the charges for electric power to industrial and commercial concerns. Mr Webb said that he was a little disappointed that no reduction had been made in’the charge of lid a unit which was imposed on manufacturers for the peak load during the winter months.