Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1917. INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF GAS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1751, 25 August 1917, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1917. INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF GAS.

AT last Council meeting it was decided to increase (he price of gas for cooking and healing by lOd per 1,000 c. ft. The price of gas for lighting is to remain as at present, viz., 9s 2d per 1,000 c. ft. net. The Council was divided'on the’question of increase, some favouring an a Round increase of 5d per 1,000 c. ft. instead of lOd, as stated, but we believe the increase on the lines set forth by the Mayor was the wisest course. The Council is averse to an increase, but owing to the increased cost of coal a rise in price of gas could not be avoided —unless (he ratepayers and non-consumers were prepared to carry the burden. This, of course, would be unjust. We do not believe consumers will cavil at the increase, which was unavoidable under the circumstances. It is useless to talk about the works being over-capitalised—that fact is due to the shortsightedness of the ratepayers in years gone by, when they should have put down their own works instead of handing over the rights to a company promoter. The Council adopted the right course in subsequently municipalising the works —even though they paid through the nose in the transaction. The point now is to endeavour to make the works self-supporting, and we believe this is within measurable distance.