POWER SUPPLIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 272, 16 November 1943, Page 2

POWER SUPPLIES

DECISION AWAITED

INACTION OF GOVERNMENT

Delay by the Government in making a decision in regard to the supply of electrical power next year was criticised at ft meeting of the Auckland Electric Power Board yesterday afternoon. Letters received from the Power Board's Association stated that the illness of the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, had prevented an interview with him. The chairman, Mr. S. J. Harbutt, said he could not understand why the Government had not taken action. All regretted the illness of the Prime Minister, but members of the Cabinet should have power to act in 'case of emergency. There was, he said, a feeling of unrest spreading all over the country. Mr. J. Park said they could blame the Government next year, but that would be no consolation to people waiting for power. They would be accused of not pushing on as they should. Did the wheels of State stop if the Prime Minister was sick?

The chairman said they had done their best to arrange an interview They could wait a little longer, and then press further.

In another letter, the secretary of the Power Boards' Association pointed to the difficulties of securing generating plant and supply, materials, and said orders were considered in relation to the Allied war effort.