ELECTRICITY PROFITS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20283, 27 August 1937, Page 9

ELECTRICITY PROFITS.

DISCUSSION AT FRANKTON CLAIMS OF CONSUMERS The opinion that the borough electrical service in Hamilton should be operated for the benefit of consumers of electricity and not the general body of ratepayers, was expressed in the form of a resolution, moved by Mr F. A. de la Mare, which was carried at the annual meeting of the Frankton Citizens’ Association held last evening. Mr P. Allsop, retiring president of the Association, presided until the election of officers, after which the new president, Mr J. S. Anchor, took the chair. Mr de la Mare, In moving his resolution, said that at present the electricity profits were being used for various municipal works, and for any other purposes upon which the borough council considered expenditure was Justified. This system was, unfortunately, only too common at the present time, as it was an easy way of conducting municipal finance, but he had always objected to this system of indirect taxation, holding that It was wrong in principle. When he was a young man such services as the provision of electric power were oarrled on by private enterprise. When it was 'first decided to make these services public enterprises the step had to be justified on principle. The Justification adduced then, which should still be the main Justification for such municipal ownership, was that it was for the benefit of consumers as a whole, through the provision of a cheaper service. In reply to criticisms of the rates charged for electricity in Hamilton, Mr F. Findlay said that he had, made particular enquiries on comparative power charges. In Thames, he had learned, were he in business there, he would have to pay double the rates at present ruling in ‘Hamilton, and though charges were lower In Christchurch, Hamilton charges were on a par with those In most centres.