UNIFORM BULK SUPPLY

Waipa Post, Volume 48, Issue 3471, 26 May 1934, Page 7

UNIFORM BULK SUPPLY

POWER BOARDS’ PROTEST TO GOVERNMENT. Support of the representations to the Government in respect to obtaining a new agreement based on uniform charges to all supply authorities drawing- electric power from the State hydro-electric stations was decided upon at Friday’s meeting of Te Awamutu Electric Power Board. The Waitaki Power Board wrote re the cost of Government supply, of power, and commenting on the unjust policy of giving city areas supply at lower rates than given to the rural boards. It was pointed out that a new agreement was contemplated with one of the larger cities, and Te Awamutu Board was asked to join in protesting against the present system. The Waitaki Board was of the opinion that a uniform rate of charge for supply should obtain over the whole Dominion. Copy of a letter to the Prime Minister on the subject was forwarded. The chairman repeated the views on this subject referred to in his annual report, and added that the Government’s hydro-electric stations were all national in character and cost, and the charge to distributing authorities should also be made on a uniform basis. He mentioned that Te Awamutu, Cambridge, and Thames Valley Boards reticulating territory adjacent to Horahora and Arapuni, had to pay more than Auckland city did, one hundred miles distant. Mr Lethbridge said the claim was reasonable and fair. Some development scheme were apparently faulty and Arapuni looked like proving the most payable of all the large installations. Mr Macky expresesd somewhat similar views, adding that probably the losses on some of the South Island schemes would be foisted on to the North Island schemes. Mr Lethbridge: Quite rightly, too. The whole scheme is national. However, I don’t think Auckland city should pay more or less for its power than the country boards closer to the sou'rce of supply. There should be a universal charge. The chairman said that; in justice to Auckland city, it should be remembered that Auckland maintained a subsidiary station at King’s Wharf, with an obligation to supply in emergency. However, any arrangement such " as emergency supply should be apart from the uniform charge by way of a special subs.dy. Mr Sutherland commented that the King’s Wharf station was a “ Godsend ” to country consumers when the break-down at Arapuni occurred two years or so ago. It was unanimously decided to support the Waitaki Board’s representations to the Government.