FOUR-DAY WEEK IN INDUSTRY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 151, 12 April 1950, Page 3

FOUR-DAY WEEK IN INDUSTRY

POSSIBILITY SEEN IN AUCKLAND (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Apfll 11. The possibility that Auckland industry Will have to cut down to a four-day week because of the power shortage was put forward by the engineers of the Auckland, Waitemata, and Franklin Electric Power Boards to-day. This Whs seen as a likely outcome if a 25 per cent, power cut, as foreseen by the Minister in charge of the Hydro-electric Department (Mr W. S. Goosman), had to be imposed at the end of this month. They said that a 25 per cent, reduction would not be attained by voluntary savings and would be equivalent to more than a whole day’s consumption in industry, homes, . and farms. This heavier cut was no empty threat, said a spokesman for the joint standing committee of the three boards. If consumption was not reduced by 10 per cent.' during April it was likely that the department would have no water, storage left. This would serjously reduce generating capacity, with the risk of a collapse of the supply system if the demand exceeded what could be provided.