ELECTRIC POWER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 19, 24 October 1944, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER

BACK BLOCK RETICULATION MR W„. SULLIVAN'S ENQUIRY The provision of clectric power to out-hack areas was raised by Mr W. Sullivan (National Bay of Plenty) Avhcn the Electric Supply Account was being discussed in the House of Representatives. There was a lie said of £5000 to provide a fund for the survey of future schemes. He had in mintl particularly, the, need for a power supply in the East Coast area. There was. a very large population in that area, and no provision had been made for transmission lines. It was time that a reserve was set up inside, the Public Works Fund to provide transmission lines- to outback areas.. He understood that a committee had been investigating the. matter recently—a Rural Reticulation Committee. He did not know I whether it had j'et furnished a report. The Minister of Works (Mr Semple): Yes ? it has submitted a scheme for financing outback people.. Mr Sullivan said the Minister might state whether provision would be made in the current year, for putting the scheme into operation or the setting aside of a fund. Mr Semple: It is proposed that a quarter per cent of the revenue be set aside for the purpose of reticulating those areas. Mr Sullivan said he noted the information. Mr Semple: The scheme has been submitted, but the Department has not thoroughly investigated it yet. L want to see the benefits of electric power extended to country homes and F will favour any scheme that will do that. Mr Sullivan said he was glad to hear that. People in spar&ely populated areas could not possibh' find the cost of the main transmission lines and-the cost of the service lines to their own homes as well A and some assistance must, be offered by the Department. In regard to charges for power, it 'was time a flat rate was established throughout the Dominion for bulk supplies to boards. The thickly populated areas had a distinct advantage under the present system over the • outside areas. The larger centres would rot lie there if it were not for the rural and farming activities, 3 r et they had all tlie advantages and the country areas had to pay higher charges for power.