ELECTRIC POWER

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9520, 8 May 1940, Page 2

ELECTRIC POWER

MONTHLY MEETING OF THAMES BOARD PROFIT DESPITE WAR ■ IMPORT DIFFICULTIES

The monthly meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board was held in To Aroha yesterday, the chairman, Mr J. Price, presiding. There were also present: Messrs 11. M. Corbett, F. E. Flatt, J. McCormick,

.1. F. Mayn, P. R. Ilawke, C. Kennedy, T. A. Barrett, J. Pohlen and 11. L. Boughton (Waihi).

In submitting the statement of accounts for the financial year ended March 31, showing a profit of £166 Ss 4d, the manager, Mr R. Sprague, said the result could be considered most satisfactory, especially as affecting increased operating costs due to restrictions and war conditions after the estimates had been submitted and adopted. In the estimates a prolit of £2120 had been budgeted for, hut no provision had been made for the contingencies mentioned. The increase in (lie gross sales of electricity for the year was £21,530 7s 9d, which was one of the highest increases ever experienced by the board. The increase in the nett sales of electricity was £17,443 14s 10d.. All cooking appliances, including ranges, had been prohibited from import. Local manufacturers could not meet the demand for ranges during the period when ranges were imported annually by the thousands, and now that they had to supply the whole of the demand it might lie diflicult to obtain ranges in any quantity, or to obtain satisfactory deliveries. At the present time the board had no ranges in stock and 9 4 consumers were waiting. . . The hoard could now expect annual reductions in connected load which would react on the increase of electricity sales eacli year. NUMBER OF CONSUMERS The total number of consumers connected to the board’s mains was 12,229, the Thames and Te Aroha Boroughs being included in this total with 125 S and 7SO consumers respectively. Twenty-eight lighting and heating consumers had been connected during tlie month, as well as 3 6 ranges, 43 water—heaters and eight motors on farms. There were now connected and operating 2807 ranges, 5252 water—heaters and 6500 motors on farms, of which 3322 were milking motors. Forty-two consumers had had additional lighting and heating connections made. “A supply of locally made New Zealand ranges has been arranged for, which should tide over supply until something definite has been arrived at with regard to imported ranges,” concluded Mr Sprague. “The Power Boards’ Association is dealing with this matter and hopes that authority will he given to import ranges.” The report was adopted. NEW RETICULATIONS

Following the easing of the position in regard to sterling funds, an explanation of the policy adopted by the Government Loans Board in considering applications for loans from power boards for new reticulations was given in a letter from the board. The letter stated that from additional information and evidence received since January last the Loans Board had been enabled to modify its policy as regards new extensions in un-reticulated areas, and would now consider applications for sanction to raise loans for line extensions beyond, but adjacent to, the terminals of existing supply lines, provided it was satisfied that such extensions traversed reasonably closely settled areas and would assist in increasing production. The letter was received. GENERAL WAGE INCREASE Advice that a conference had been held between representatives of the New Zealand Federation of Labour and the New Zealand Employers’ Association in regard to a general wage increase throughout the country was received. The letter stated that a general discussion of the question had taken place, and it had unanimously been agreed that it was better to have any question of wage increase decided by the Court of Arbitration rather than by the Government. The following resolution was passed by the conference: “That it b»

a joint recommendation to the Government, as a temporary measure for the duration of the present war and six months thereafter, that authority

he given to the Court of Arbitration :o amend the wages provision of all iwards and industrial agreements at

intervals of not less than six months; and in making such orders, the court, shall have regard to the general eco-

nomic and tinancial conditions then affecting trade and industry in New Zealand, the cost of living, and any fluctuations in the cost of living since the making' of the hist order, if any.” The communiction was received.