Power Board Fears Cut In Imports

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31077, 4 June 1966, Page 20

Power Board Fears Cut In Imports

(Neu> Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 3. Import restrictions may force a serious reduction in the construction programme of the Auckland Electric Power Board this year.

As by far the biggest supply authority in the country, with more than 147,000 consumers, the board is worried at the prospect. It has applied for imports worth almost £2 million for the next 12 months, but these could be cut by more than 40 per cent

•riie Department of Industries and Commerce has told the Electrical Supply Authorities’ Association that the present policy is to restrict the authorities’ special import licences to 85 per cent of last year’s imparts.

The association has said that because of increasing requirements, the effective cut for the current year would be about 40 per cent. Because of its big commitments, the cut for the Auckland board would be more than 40 per cent. The chairman, Mr A. W. Gooder said today that the

board believed the Government should be more selective in import licensing. Electricity was the most important single service affecting the community as a whole.