CARE NEEDED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 279, 25 November 1941, Page 8

CARE NEEDED

USE OF ELECTRICITY

CO-OPERATION SOUGHT

Care necessary to conserve electrical supplies was referred to to-day by the general manager of the Auckland Electric Power Board. Mr. R. U- Bartley. who pointed out that all power supply authorities in New Zealand were definitely limited in the quantity of power that they were permitted to supply, taking as a basis the amount supplied for the corresponding period of the previous year.

In the case of the Auckland Electric Power Board, he said, the increase was 21 per cent, but even that quantity should be sufficient, provided that nothing unforeseen happened. to meet necessary requirements, but always assuming that waste and extravagance would be eliminated. The Auckland Board was seeking the assistance and cooperation of its consumers towards that end and it was only on account of co-operation that it had been able to keep reasonably within the limits set and avoid restrictions, which would be inconvenient ami create a certain hardship on consumers. This condition applied particularly during cold snaps, when apparently the use of heating appliances was "a strong temptation.

Mr. Bartlev said that they had to look ahead and plan accordinglv. as there would he a difficult time ahead next winter and possibly in the following year. Unless the board's advice was followed it was quite possible that restrictions would have to be imposed, with consequent inconvenience. Therefore to a large extent the position in regard to the future was in the hands of the consumers. The hvdro-electrical power conditions throughout New Zealand had for the time being improved not only from the point of view of more water being available but also from the measures taken for the storage of more water at l.ake Taupo. but although those factors would help, they would be greatly depreciated if economics and wastages were not dealt with as requested.

Mr. Bartlev added that it was desirable to keep consumers informed of the power position from time to time and to ensure that thev fully realised how much thev could assist in preventing inconvenience to the consumers as a whole.