NO INCREASE IN POWER CUTS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27427, 13 August 1954, Page 10

NO INCREASE IN POWER CUTS

M.E.D. Within Allocation STREET LIGHTS TO BE MAINTAINED No increase is to be made in the power cuts in the Christchurch Municipal Electricity Department’s area while consumption is within the allocation, as it has been in the last two days. If, however, there is an increase in consumption, and it exceeds the allocation, the present one-hour evening cuts will be made in two districts each day instead of in one. These decisions, and a recommendation that the Government be asked to investigate and operate all available stand-by plants in the area, were announced last evening by the chairman of the City Council’s electricity committee (Cr. G. Manning) after a meeting of the committee. The committee had discussed the matter of street lighting, said Cr. Manning, and it had decided that, because of the risk involved in cutting out street lighting, the question should be held over. The probable effects of a reduction in 'the power supply to that produced from river flow only had been explained, to the committee by the department’s electrical engineer (Mr G. H. Battersby), said Cr. Manning. It was clear that some substantial parts of the department’s district would be cut off, -in sections, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.n> should that crisis arise and while it lasted. Every effort would be made, however, to keep industry in operation for at least a substantial part of each day, Cr. Manning said. Details of the arrangements for meeting a drop in water storage below the 32,000,000unit level would be announced later if necessary. The committee was very pleased that for the last two days the M.E.D. area was, barely, within its allocation, said Cr. Manning. While those savings were being made, it was felt that no further restrictions should be imposed until further advice was received from the State Hydro-electric Department. Cr. Manning said the department’s inspectors had made a most valuable contribution towards the savings effected. The effect of north-west weather in the catchment areas was shown in the water storage reading at 9 a.m. yesterday. The storage then stood at 44,740,000 units, a drop of only 200,000 units since Wednesday morning, and the fall for the 24 hours was the smallest for a long time. There had been two inches of rain at The Hermitage, more than half an inch at Pukaki, and nearly half an inch at Tekapo. It was reported yesterday, however, that there was the likelihood of a further cold snap in the catchment area. This would reduce the probable run-off after the milder weather.

EFFECT OF CUTS ON INDUSTRY “ABNORMAL” WORKING HOURS OPPOSED CANTERBURY LABOUR COUNCIL’S VIEWS The Canterbury District Council of the Federation of Labour has written to the emergency electricity committee, of the Christchurch City Council urging that, in the event of big power cuts, working hours should not be changed to abnormal periods, and suggesting that a claim be made against the State to reimburse operators of standby plants. The letter, addressed to the chairman of the electricity committee (Cr. G. Manning) and written by the secretary of the council (Mr R. H. McDonald), says:— “The seriousness of the electrical supply position was considered by a special meeting of this council’s executive yesterday. The executive expressed great concern over the rapid deterioration of water storage and ■ the threatened substantial cuts. It was most perturbed about the hardship which may be suffered by people who have made a genuine effort to save power. Our discussion resulted in the following decisions being made:— “(1) That your committee should be asked to use such power as it may have, or can obtain, to prevent the adjustment of industrial working hours to defeat the power cuts imposed, and also to prevent the working of overtime or shifts not usual in the employment of workers. “(2) That an appeal be made to our affiliated unions to prevent the hours-of-work provisions of awards being circumvented in order to defeat power savings. “(3) That your committee be requested to consider making a survey of industrial standby plants,* that employers be requested to use their standby plants to full capacity, and* also that the prospect of obtaining further standby plants from Government sources in other parts of the country be examined. Cost of Standby Plants “We place these matters before your committee realising that in equity all sections of the community must make some sacrifice in this most serious matter,” the letter says. “The executive was moved by the need to ensure that cuts are fair, and are observed in the community’s interest, without regard for the fact that the Government is not accepting its responsibility to provide adequate electric power. “We believe that your committee could also investigate the prospect of charging the Government with the cost of operating standby plants and allowing a rebate to the operators. That is a reasonable proposition while the M.E.D. is being charged top rates for electricity which it has not got for sale. “Above all, it is essential that the

least possible hardship to all classes of consumers be imposed, and you may be assured of our earnest co-opera-tion,” the letter concludes. The letter had been discussed by the City Council’s electricity committee, said the chairman (Cr. G. Manning) when the matter was referred to mm last evening. He said his committee had appreciated the offer of co-operation during the crisis, and it had noted the recommendations submitted. Something of the same nature was in the recommendations framed by the committee at its meeting last evening. Cr. Manning said the question of the* paying for the power generated by stand-by plants was one which would have to be .decided by the Government, which had a policy on the purchase of electricity.