THE BLACK-OUT BOYCOTT.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 134, 23 June 1937, Page 4

THE BLACK-OUT BOYCOTT.

X recent message from Christchurch stated that a band of retailers had decided to register a "black out" protest against the pnce charged by the municipahty for electricity for commercial purposes, the movement being designated "a gentlemen's protest against ungentlemanly profiteering." The organiser of the protest, in a statement to the press says: "We wish to bring the situation home forcibly to the council and the public. The council continues to charge ^ ®x^°Arl,)ltant rate t0 commercial users even though there is nearly £250,000 lying m the bank to the credit of the Municipahty Electricity Department." ^ He went on to say the flat rate to commercial users was 3Jd a unit, while there was also a maximum demand rate of 4d and ld a unit thereafter. The domestic flat rate was only U a unit. The average revenue from domestic current was less than 7-8d and from industnal supply less than fd, yet from the commercial supply it was slightly more than If d. He considered that a rate of fd would be fair. Several deputations have waited upon the City Council concernmg the matter but it is contended that these are not as great as they should be Hence the "bkck-out boycott," leaving in darkness at night. ~