POWER CHARGES

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 99, 21 April 1933, Page 5

POWER CHARGES

Effect of Reduction FIGURES TO BE PREPARED CENTRAL H.B. BOARD At the meeting of the Central Hawke’s Bay Electric Power Board this morning, Mr A. C. Holms, in accordance with notice which he had previously given, moved “That with a view to the finance committee reporting to the board thereon at the May meeting, tables be prepared by the secretary-manager showing the estimated effect on this year’s revenue, as compared with the increased savings on the 1932-33 estimates, and the expected interest or other savings for 1933-34, of reducing (a) the basic domestic lighting charge to 8d per unit, and (b) the business scale, (flat rate one) to 7d, thus re-estab-lishing the corresponding relative difference of Id agreed upon in 1931, as equitable between the graduated domestic, and the non-graduated business scales. Further, that the cost of placing business people on the same graduated scale as Domestic A lighting be shown. Also the cost of placing range users on (a) the same footing (graduated) in regard to lighting as other domestic lighting consumers (B£d and graduated reductions to 3d, 2d and ISd) or (b) same present flat rate as business folk (B£d).” Mr Holms said that the Dannevirke Board’s business scale (re Id equivalent lower rate) might be quoted as similarly operative, viz., 8d domestic (graduated) and 7d business (nongraduated). To pass on part of the savings effected from year to year to the economically hard-pressed general body of consumers should be the continued policy of the board of course. Domestic lighting had been reduced by £d last year, but not business lighting.

The speaker thought it was desirable to have the information referred to in black and white, although it might not be considered possible to make reductions to the full extent mentioned. It was no new move on his part as in 1930 and 1931, he had obtained such information as precedent to promoting the reductions secured in 1931 and 1932, the business and domestic rates having been reduced. Mr R. A. Fraser asked that the consumer on a non-graduated scale outside the business area should also be taken into consideration. He also remarked that any reductions would have to be considered in conjunction with the minimum charge. It would be no use making a reduction if it would not be available to the consumer owing to the minimum charge being greater than that for the amount of power used. Mr Holms agreed to incorporate Mr Fraser’s suggestion in his motion. The chairman (Mr A. C. Russel!) stressed the need for caution, remarking that many other boards had ‘•'muddled'’ themselves into serious difficulties by not giving sufficient attention to their finances. He also said that the board should aim at equality of charge throughout all sections. Mr. Holms: The muddles were not due to reductions! Mr F. J. Witherow thought Mr Holms’s motion was rather premature. People were already becoming jubilant assuming that a reduction in charg'es was certain. Mr. Holms replied pointing out that the motion showed clearly that the finance committee should report to the board on the question. Mr W. H. Rathbone supported Mr Holms’s action in bringing forward the motion and congratulated him on looking ahead and trying, as in the past, to protect the interests of the consumers generally. The motion was then carried.