ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 May 1938, Page 9

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

CONSIDERED TOO COSTLY. MOVE FOR REDUCTION. (By Telegraph —Press Association.) WANGANUI, May 3. The cost of electrical household appliances prevented people from making fuller use of labour-saving conveniences that electricity had made possible, said a letter received by the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce last night from the Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric Power Board. The letter stated that the board hoped that the chamber would meet with some success in its attempt to have tariffs on household electric appliances lowered. The board said it welcomed any move that would result in the lowering of costs and believed that the chamber’s move would have the support of electric supply authorities, sellers of appliances covered by the tariffs and the buying public. A move had already been made by retailers to have tariffs reduced. Importers of washing machines and refrigerators wanted those appliances admitted on the same basis as sewing machines —free except for primage of 3 per cent. Were this to be instituted a refrigerator now priced at £59 10s would sell at £2O less and washing machines selling at £29 10s would be reduced £5. These two appliances were mostly of American and Canadian manufacture and the duty was high.