SOUTH ISLAND POWER

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25161, 17 April 1947, Page 3

SOUTH ISLAND POWER

SUPPLY POSITION IN FUTURE

REPORT TO MANUFACTURERS SUGGESTED The power supply position in the South Island, and the possibility of restrictions, were discussed by the council of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association at its meeting last evening. After some members had said that the situation was being handled competently by the power supply authorities, the council decided to ask the joint electricity vigilance com.mittee of the Chamber of Commerce and the Manufacturers’ Association to meet and bring down a report on the existing and prospective power situation in Canterbury, and its effect on the business community. “We don’t know if there are going to be any restrictions; but if there are, we as industrialists should definitely have some say in how they are going to affect us,” said the president, Mr B. J. Masters. The discussion followed the reading of a letter from the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation to the Minister of Works (Mr R. Semple) expressing concern at the present power shortage in the North Island, and urging the Government to use the utmost vigour in securing oil-burning auxiliary plant to supplement existing capacity. Mr Masters suggested that there should be a general discussion on the South Island power situation. Report Suggested Mr D. V. Wilson: Does anybody know what it is? Mr Masters: We understand it is just about the limit of capacity, but that has not been stated officially. “I think it would be better for the vigilance committee to give us an up-to-date report based on facts,” said Mr Wilson. “I can’t see the sense in talking on something we don’t know anything about. I’d like to know accurately.” Mr A. M. Hollander agreed that the question should be referred to the vigilance committee. He said that to spend any time discussing something on which members did not have the technical knowledge or knowledge of the general position would be futile. The chairman of the vigilance committee, Mr H. C. Urlwin, said the question had been considered informally. “We are satisfied that the less it is talked about to-day the better,” he added. “There are more competent people than us looking after the situation. We do not want to bring into force restrictions which may not be necessary. That is what you will get if you talk about it.

“We feel there is no reason at this stage to suggest restrictions, because sufficient restrictions will come from the supply authorities. It is not necessary for us to ask for them. The more we talk about them in public the more likely we are to get restrictions. I think the people in command are very competent to deal with the situation. If there are restrictions we will have a job to see that they are put on in a manner which will give us the least possible inconvenience.” Manufacturers’ Position Mr Wilson said that while there was any doubt or risk of restrictions, manufacturers, who were pretty large consumers, should have some opportunity of protecting themselves against restrictions. The exhibition made in

handling the situation in the North Island did not inspire very much confidence in the South Island.

Mr Masters said that the City Council was going to discuss possible saving of power at its meeting on Monday evening. The committee should offer its co-operation and help in every way in framing the regulations.

Mr C. S. Peate said that all the committee could do was to satisfy itselr that everything possible was being done by the Government at Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, and on the Clutha and Clarence river schemes.

“I think sufficient rocks have been hurled at the Government, and sufficient emphasis has been placed on obtaining Diesel plant and other alternative means of supply,” said Mr Urlwin. “If we kick up a fuss we will get more restrictions, and to my mind quite unnecessary ones.”