ELECTRICITY V. GAS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1924, Page 1

ELECTRICITY V. GAS.

UOWF.It HOARD’S POWER. [P.Y TKLKGRAPU—PEIt ntESS ASSOCIATION.] WK I, LING TON, Auniist 20. An important deputation, representing sixteen boroughs in the Dominion possession .Municipal Gas Works, waited upon the Minister of Public Works, to protest anainst the application to linrolinhs „f Section I of the Klectric Power Hoard's Amendment Act, lt)2d, which empowers the Power Hoards to levy, in addition to ordinary district electricity rate, a special rate of from L'l to IT) upon non-users within their areas. In discussion, the .Minister asked whether the deputation could point to :my case of injustice under the section. The deputation replied in the nc.nntive. The principle, however, was unjust. It "me the Power Hoards power to penalise people hy ehari'ill" a special rate in addition to the ordinary district electricity rates, upon the people who were not tisiny; the current, hut Were itsili;' "Us instead. The Minister: Hut can you point t« any actual case I' -Mr Prajzui’ll (Mayor of Mastertou): No! The Minister: Then why put up the umbrella before it rains r Mr Sykes: It is ju-t as well to have an umbrella in ease iL does rain. Mr Prtienell: Prevention is better than cure. The Minister: Hut von may never want the umbrella. An injustice may not arise. Mr Pra.en:’ll : No. Inn the section on the Statute Hook may he made use of. It seems docidelv unfair competition if the Power Hoards can specially rate the user- of in an endeavour to make them lake electricity instead. As soen as the Mannahao power comes into use, this clause will cnm.e into operation. The .Minister said that the Klectric! Hoard- were already in operation in various parts of the country and yet the deputation couldn't point to any injustice that had occurred tinder the sect icn. He did not think any would occur. "You have no complaint to make from actual experience,” he said. Mr l’ra;:uell : No hope at all. AYe -ay that perhaps this legislation enl on the Statute Hook without mature consideration. The Minister: Thank yon! The .Minister -aid the deputation as--tinicd that the Power Hoards would act unjustly, lint they could not ftive anv instances, lie that they leave the matter alone. II the Act were used unfairly they would soon alter the law. He would consider the matter so far as the clause affected Municipal Gasworks.