ELECTRIC LIGHT CHARGE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 416, 24 April 1937, Page 4

ELECTRIC LIGHT CHARGE

A Matter For The Ratepayers

(To the Edi or). I Sir,—At its last meeting the I Borough Council decided to call a meeting of ratepayers to discuss the question of reduction of electric light charges. An advertisement has already appeared in your paper calling the meeting for next Monday night in the Borough Council Chambers at 8 o’clock, though the purpose of the n ee'ing has not been stated in the advertisement. On two occasions I have moved tor this reduction, but my proposal has been dteated each time, zts bri.fly as possible I wish to put the posi ion before the ratepayers. This year the Electric Light Department made a profit of £3,400. This profit is used to keep down the ra ee. Tills syst m favours the | lUrger property owner. This is ait | last confirmed by the- Mayor’s statement at the last meeting, vi«, that the increase on rates due to a reduction in electric light charges? would affect the larger properties. If this were not so it would pay 'them to support a reduction. My two chief arguments for this reduction are: (1) The man who is responsible for producing the profi s should get 'the benefit of the reduction. (2) The average small householder ' 'Quid benefit by ths reduction suggested. | The main argument used aga.'rfst i he reduction is that it would increase j the rates. I do not deny this. But | lei me show how it would affect ths man owning an average section of, say, £lOO unimproved value. The Tcrrase in rates in one year would be 6/3. If he used 10 units of light -ach month and 60 units of heating, he would benefit by the reduction of charges to 'the extent of £l/10/-. Surely this is .a good proposi ion for the average householder. My proposals entail a total reduction in charges of £970. This would still leave approximately £2,400 on the basis of this year’s profits to be I used for rates. But I would point out ( that the profits have shown a conj sis ent increase each year, and a reduction in charges would tend to a further use of electricity and further profits. Having explained the position. I i leave the matter in the hands of the ratepayers. If they are sufficiently interested they should attend on Monday night and make their wishes known.— I am, etc., W. P. p. GORDON. Stratford, April 24, 1937.