POWER SUPPLY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 373, 15 March 1932, Page 7

POWER SUPPLY.

Plea is Made for Rural Areas. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, March 15. A question of national interest affecting pOAver boards Avas raised Avith the Rt lion J. G. Coates by country representatives from the ManaAvatu district Avho urged that the Government should take action to haA c Palmerston North included in the electrical supply" area on equal partnership terms. It was urged that urban areas, by forming independent systems, were unfairly profiting by the national undertaking, Avhose benefits should be distributed in toAvn and country alike.

Mr Coates, replying, stated that the dominating consideration in forming supply" areas Avas to include urban with r ural areas, but there Avere enormous difficulties owing to existing licenses which implied certain rights. The GoA-ernment must be careful not to ride roughshod over the .rights of existing licensees. On the other hand the definite policy of the Government was to make the distribution of costs as as possible, and he belieA’ed that the public generally Avas more appreciati\*e of the necessity of tOAvn and country sharing the burdens. A Avise and prudent distribution of costs AA'ould not only help rural areas, but assist the urban districts. For these reasons he be glad to ask his department to marshal the facts, with one reserA'ation that he must always pay" proper respect and Aveight to the licenses entered into some years ago. He had telegrams from the licensees asking him not to agree to the deputation s request. On the other hand power boards had asked him to completely revieAv the Avhole position in the hght of present conditions. He Avould get the information Avith a vieAv to seeing if more satisfactory" arrangements could be made in the future.