NON-CONSUMERS’ RATE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4864, 12 August 1925, Page 2

NON-CONSUMERS’ RATE.

• —- — AMENDMENT BEFORE MINISTER. EARLY LEGISLATION URGED. In dealing with various matters discussed at the recent Electric Power Boards’ Conference in Wellington, at Yesterday’s meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board at Te Aroha the chairman, Mr F. H. Claxton, said that so far as the nbnconsumers’ rate was concerned the matter had been fully discussed, and as a result of the boards’ remit the conference had approved that the minimum rate be 5s in lieu of 20s, 'and that the reduction be made retrospective. However, he was! doubtful if amending legislation would be brought down this year. Mr F. E. Flatt said the Minister had promised that there would be.

The chairman said that the Minister had not made a definite promise, but he had expressed sympathy with the remit and representations of tho board. It had to be remembered that there were no less than 37 remits submitted, all of which had tb be carefully considered when bringing dbwn amending legislation, whicn would take time, and-it was: expected that the present session of the House would not be a lengthy one. It had also to be remembered that the whole of the Power Boards Act had yet to be consolidated. The Hon. Mr Coates fully appreciated the fact that a number of anomalies existed in the Act at present.

In reply to Mr Pohlen the chairmna said that it was only as far as he could judge that the amending legislation would not be brought dowii this session. The Prime Minister had not made a definite statement either Way about the matter being dealt with this session. Mr Flatt did not agree that the matter -should be stood to one side by the Minister, and moved that the board point out to the Government the urgent need for providing the necessary amendments to the Power Boards Act during the present ses-

sion. Seconded by Mr J. B. Thomas and carried.