NON-CONSUMERS’ RATE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4837, 1 June 1925, Page 3

NON-CONSUMERS’ RATE

A SYDNEY JOURNAL’S OPINION.

"NO GROUND FOR COMPLAINT,” The "Electrical Engineer,” a journal published in Sydney, which was tabled at Tuesday’s meeting of the Thames Valley Eletcric Powar Board, has been paying some attention to the complaints made in the Thames Valley Board’s reticulation area concerning the non-consumers’ rate. “New Zealand,” says this journal,” is blessed with power resources which are the envy of many less fortunate countries. These, through the wise policy and foresight of these who have had the directing of the Dominion’s affairs, are being developed and utilised in a very efficient and satisfactory way.. The Government, taps the national resources for the benefit of all. and the power thus made available is distributed by the local authorities in the manner best suited to the needs of each district. The progress that has been made during the past few years in the establishment of generating stations and the reticulation of both town and country districts indicates that the methods adopted have proved sound in practice. In spite of the success of the whole (scheme of development there are still some persons who would decry it. Because a certain aspect of the business appears to be adverse to their own immediate personal interest they demand, in effect, that progress be held up. “At a meeting held recently under the jurisdiction of the Thames Valley Power Board several resolutions were passed which, if acted upon, would have the effect of serfouisly retarding electrical development. The meeting stated as its opinion ‘that the levy of a separate rate against non-consum-ers, which means compelling them to pay for electricity irrespective of whether they need it or can afford to pay for its installation and consumption, is entirely unjust.’ It also ‘earnestly petitions the Government to consider taking over in its entirety the generation, transmission, and supply of electrical energy throughout the Dominion.’ Such resolution displays a pitiable ignorance of the principles of justice and of the economics of a great public utility. “In view of the present establishment and development of electric power boards the second quotation may be dismissed as harmless talk ; the first, however, requires further consideration. In order to ensure success to any large, scheme for the distribution of electric power it is necessary that the loading density should be kept at .the highest possible figure. ■ This is particularly applicable to country districts, where consumers are comparatively few per unit of line. If prices of energy are to be kept reasonable it is essential that every available consumer in a district should be connected up. Tne authorities, hi framing the regulations which govern the operations of power boards, gave full recognition to -this fact. They also recognised that owing to the vagaries of human nature there would probably be some persons in each district who, blind to their own advantages, and selfishly ignoring their duty to assist their neighbours in obtaining a cheap service, would refuse to take the power tsupply when it is available. lin order, therefore, to protect those who recognised the benefit's of electricity and were willing to co-operate in the national development, the Government gave the power boards the right to levy a rate on all non-consumers. “It is hard to see how such a rate can be classed as unjust; indeed, it would be unfair to consumers were it not levied. It is somewhat surprising that, in a community where power is abundant and reasonably priced there should remani peieons who render themselves - liable to a non-con-sumers’ rate. The benefits of electric supply are so obvious that it is difficult to understand any person not wishing to avail himself of it. Surely there is nothing unfair in a levy which is really an urge to every householder to take steps to benefit himself.

“There is still another sound reason why the non-consumer should help to pay for electric supply for his district. The very availability of the service is an enhancement of the value of property even if he decides not to use it. Does he expect his more enterprising neighbours to benefit him without him making any return ? There may possibly be something to be said for the man whose circumstances are such that he cannot afford the capital outlay necessary for an electrical installation; but there are not likely to be many in this category amongst householders. In any case a rate is proportionate to the value of the property, and imposes no hardship on the man of small means. The whole question appears to be merely a matter of sliorteighteduess and selfishness, and it is to be hoped that the Government will take no notice of such parochial pettiness, but will continue on the sound lines that are proving so successful.”