STILL TOO POPULAR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 132, 23 July 1941, Page 8

STILL TOO POPULAR

GROWING USE OF ELECTRICITY AUTHORITIES' PROBLEM Despite the blackout and the appeals that have been made by the Government controller to the supply authorities to minimise the increases in the electrical loading that are being registered throughout the North Island, there is still anxiety about the existing position, says' the "Dominion." Fortunately there has been a good deal of rain during the past fortnight, which has resiilted in full heads of water at the Waikaremoana and Mangaliao power stations; but it is easy to conceive that the position might become critical if, as is possible, a spell of dry weather in the watersheds concerned were experienced. It is for that reason that the Government has; instructed local authorities to curtail the use of electricHy as much as. possible. In the first increases to as low as 2% per cent, on the previous year's: loading, slightly higher increases being granted in others. But this is not so easy as it may seem, for ever since tlu» Government initiated its hydro-elec-tric system in the North Island, the public have been pressed more and more to use electricity for every possible purpose. Merchants., manufacturers and shopkeepers have played on this; advice, introducing attractive implements, radios, and household gadgets which depend on electricity for their motive power. This is apparent to anyone who walks down the street of anj* city or town in New Zealand. A few years ago electrical goods were sold onty in certain shops; today they are obtainable in manv places of retail business which a few years ago had not the remotest interest in electricity. The result has r-een that throughout the country the load on the power stations has hecn rising by leaps and bounds— and is still rising.

Half the stores in the country sell such things as washing machines, radios, radiators, toasters, irons, curlers, lamps of every description, and hot-water devices, all of which depend on electricity. These are being sold by the hundred every day. Fireplaces burning coal and wood have almost disappeared from some classes of houses and flats, as some consider that they make for untidiness and cause labour;, so the electric radiator has come into its own. Now while the liveliest trade is still being done every day in these goods, supply authorities throughout the country have been ordered to make economies in loading. How they are going to do so lias yet to be devisied. Some of the officials have had headaches endeavouring to think out some method of coping with the | situation. There are still two or three, months of cold weather and dark days to be experienced before they can look for a natural seasonal lightening of the load; but all these supply authorities, such as power boards and city councils, are finding it well-nigh impossible to keep their increases down to the minimum suggested by the Government. A commercial Frankenstein has been created—one which plays an enormous part in the standard foi living and comfort, and is of the utmost value to the community, but the demand is rapidly exceeding the available supply, and the margin of safety at certain limes is a matter of uneasiness for those in control, who do not wish to do anything drastic.