DEAR ELECTRICITY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1932, Page 6

DEAR ELECTRICITY

MAX AWAT U RURAL AREAS. PALMERSTON PROFITS CITED, i By Telegraph, Per Press Association. ) WELLINGTON, March 15. ' The rights of rural areas to partici- | pate with cities and towns, ill the | benefits of -eleatric .power, were ( stressed by members of local bodies lin the Manawatu-Oioua district, in | the course of a deputation to Mr Coates. | It was stated that Palmerston North was buying power in bulk, and, earI rying out its own -reticulation, and was j making a big profit, while people in the rural area were paying heavily for power. Wanganui was a full partner in the district scheme, and people in rural districts of Wanganui area were enjoying cheaper power than those in Manawatu. It was contended that the four metropolitan areas should be separate entities, and that outside these centres there should be complete amalgamation throughout the Dominion. Power was a- public utility. It was asked that the co-s-t be amended so that the Boards could reduce charges and, in the .event of any loss, make a levy on the partner in the compact, who was contributing nothing /to the common weal.

Replying, Air Coates said that when the act was first designed it was impossible to foresee some of the difficulties that would arise. Any legislation would have to take into consideration the implications of existing licenses. The Government would not willingly ride rough shod over existing licenses, but he thought the Government’s policy would be to make the distribution as equitable as possible, between town and country. He would ask the Department to marshal all the facts, and after giving due weight to the existing, licenses, he would see if something could not be done to remedy the position. He thought that the Palmerston Council would take a reasonable attitude.