Bulk Electricity Charges Te Be Raised

Chronicle (Levin), 16 July 1948, Page 5

Bulk Electricity Charges Te Be Raised

Press Association)

(Per

WELLINGTON, July 15. Increased rates for the supply of bulk electric power, are being negotiated "by the State Hydro-Electric Department with various power hoards as existing contracts expire. The increase sought is svihstantial and may amount to as xnucii as £100,000 in the case of a hig power hoard and nothing with others. The change may lead to fairly substatial increased costs to consumers. The Auckland Power Board is stated to have already inet reprcsentati ves of t hi' department ' and propo.sals and ••uiiiiter-proposals a ,-e being prepared in prc|ifiration for u further meeting, The Christchurch City Council elnntiicity department is to begin talks ri.-.-rtiy and about 50 per cent. of othei ]»jwer boiinls have been informed by ihe (iepartment that ihe change will hc reviewed wlien their contracts aro itie l'ur renewal. lm reascd costs of maintenance and a ateriala are, it is uuderstood, the rciiMjn for the increased revenue need of the department which has to scl as.de a considerable sum for inconie ta\ eaeh vear. The subject of the income tax pay. jiient by the department was mentioned by Mr. F. T. M. Lvissel whau he retired reeently from the general maninauager.ship. Ile said then tliat. he ]"|ieii the tax would lie lifteu. A sp(?eial committee of the New Zea land, blei-trie Power Boards ' and Supply \uihm ilies* Association has, for tlu )>a>t three months, been in vestigating the e.ist side of power generation and supply. This committee, known as the bulk supply investigational committee, has a meeting arranged in Auckland ne\t week at wliieh itk report to the pa tent organisation is to be comploted.