ELECTRIC POWER CHARGES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 August 1938, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER CHARGES

NATIONAL FLAT RATE POSSIBILITY MENTIONED BY MR SEMPLE (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, August 1. A revision of electric power charges with the possibility of a national flat rate, and the abolition of guarantees now required for consumers, were plans of the Government, said the Minister of Public Works, the Hon R. Semple, when he met the Banks Peninsula Electric Power Board at a con- ’ ference this morning. The Minister added that a reform of power charges was vitally necessary, but could not be accomplished immediately because of the mass of investigation required. He however, to call a conference of power supply authorities to discuss the matter. The problem of reviewing from a national point of view the power system had been worrying him ever since he became Minister. He was very concerned that about 30,000 people in the Dominion could not get power because of the high guarantees required. Changes in power supply matters could not be expected this year. Information was now being gathered, and if the Government were returned at the end of the year reorganisation would take place. “My own view is that possibly very shortly there will be a national flat rate for electricity,” declared the Minister. The burden of establishment costs had been overcome, and the country was now nearing the stage where rates could be revised and the question of abolishing guarantees discussed.