CHARGES FOR ELECTRICITY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32414, 31 March 1944, Page 5

CHARGES FOR ELECTRICITY

(To the Editor.) Sir, —At the outset of the commercialising of electric power and right up until recently, there was a surplus of power, hence it was the policy of the Government and the power boards to encourage the utmost consumption of electricity'—thus the charge per unit was greatly decreased for quantity consumption. Now that the surplus of power has been superseded by a shortage, surely this policy should be reversed —and the charge increased after a reasonable numbei’ of units have been consumed, the basis of which could be the average quantity consumed by each householder less say 10i per cent, or more if such economy is essential. As far as installations in new houses are concerned', the allocation of power could be rationed so that the customer would pay heavily for excessive consumption. Even as far as industry is concerned, if the same principle were employed, great savings could be made, because executives would ensure that no power was wasted. This change of policy would touch oui* pockets, and is the one best means of making people economise in the use of electricity. It would certainly do more to avoid the threatened national breakdown than the controversy which is raging between the power board and the minister. It appears that the Government is doing dVerything possible to get plant for the generation of additional power. Even should the equipment arrive it will not be in operation soon enough to avoid serious inconvenience, so no good can come of the power boards vilifying the minister. What we want is action now.—l am, etc., ALISTER BEVIN. Auckland.