ONE-SIDED PENALTY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1013, 2 July 1930, Page 10

ONE-SIDED PENALTY

TRANSPORT BOARD TO PAY MORE FOR POWER OTHER CONSUMERS ESCAPE -The Arapuni breakdown is "n. national disaster, but apparently tlie Transport Board is the only Individual consumer ot electric power which is to be penalised,” said Mr. .7. A. r. Allum. chairman of the board. in discussing today the Power Board's notification that higher rates would have to lie paid by the transport sys tern for power. The notification has not been pleasant news to the board, which wilt now have to find several thousands of pounds more annually for power costs At present its electricity hill is m proximately £SO,OOO' a year, which means that the board is probably the largest individual consumer in the Dominion. lhe whole tiling is nebulous at present,” commented Mr. Allum when asked if the Power Board hud given indication of the extent of the proposed increase. Last year the board paid l.oOOld a unit and its estimates for the current year are based on the use of 18,000,000 units at Id a unit. Mr. Allum said that an increase of 1-lOn T'v', , . d „ mean an additional expense of would wipe out the small surplus fowhich the manager, Mr. A. E For<l had recently budgeted. Explaining the increase the Power Hoard said that tlie charge for power used by the hoard was based on the cost; of production. It was pointed out hat the charge for the slack coal now being used was 10s a ton at the mine, against (he previous charge ot 7s ILi loot A ! : \ VBe , i’roportiot! of overseas coal had lo lie used, and that because ot tlie heavy demands on the plant at King S YV hai r maintenance would have to be done during hours lor which overtime rates were payable. Tlie Power Board added that it was in. possible to say sit the moment whu-. .he new costs of production would he hut. ihe board would lie advised of the position as soon as possible. "Tlie Transport Board shares with everyone the anxiety of the Arapuni situation, said Mr. Allum "We wish to co-operate with everyone in a sol.;' hmVifAT T, mculty ' but Hoes seem haid if the Transport Board is to be the only consumer penalised, as wott’d appear from the remarks of tiglower Board's chairman, who K i - ported to have said that his hoard !,-■ ; no proposals at present to increme its charges to ordinary consumers.” Mr Allum added that the Transport Board had delegated him to wait upon the 1 ower Board with a view to a full discussion.