On Electricity Charges
p. 13 · Read in the full issue
Port Moresby Protests On Electricity Charges
From Our Own Correspondent
Port Moresby, March 24.
NEW electric light and power charges for the Port Moresby area, recently published in the Government Gaz ette, have aroused a storm of protest from householders, who are already find ing it difficult to keep pace with rising The minimum charge laid down is 15/per month, but persons using electric re frigerators must pay a minimum of £3 per month. For houses fitted with meters, power will be charged for at the rate of 3d. per unit, with the same mini mum figures.
The Public Service Association was the first organisation to give battle. Officers of tjie Association interviewed the Ad ministrator early this year, to urge a re consideration of the charges. This de mand failed, but after the charges had actually been promulgated the Associa tion wrote a further letter of protest, de manding that introduction of new rates be postponed until the Minister for Ex ternal Territories (Mr. Ward) had given reply to the Association’s recent sub missions on the cost of living.
A meeting of the Moresby branch of the Australian Labour Party also ex pressed strong resentment of this fresh burden. After speakers had advanced the view that any protest made to head quarters at Konedobu would prove in effectual. the Branch decided to send a letter of protest direct to the Minister.
Neither protest has yet brought re sults.
EDITORIAL NOTE: These charges, in comparison with Australian rates, appear abnormally high. The Sydney County Council, for example, does not charge separate rates for lighting and power for domestic purposes it arrives at its primary and secondary ratings on an area basis for each home, taking into consid eration whether or not certain electrical appliances are used. The result may be judged from the electricity bill of a Sydney family known to us. There are four children in this family and an elec tric hot water svstem, a full-sized elec tric stove, a refrigerator and a washing machine, as well as the usual small elec tric appliances, are in constant use. Their electricity account for light and power for the period mid-December 1947 to mid- March 1948, was £3/15/5.
The Fiji Publicity Board and Tourist Bureau has been reconstituted, and the members of the Board now are: The Hon.
H. M. Scott, DFC, Mr. E. A. Adams, Mr.
T. W. A. Barker, CBE, Mr. H. B. Gibson, Mr. W. G. Johnson, and the Public Re lations Officer. Mr. F. Ryan continues to act as secretary.