ELECTRIC CABLE

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 172, 17 April 1942, Page 3

ELECTRIC CABLE

Possibility Of Rationing

The probable rationing of electric cable for domestic and commercial use was mentioned by the Minister of Supply and Munitions, Mr. Sullivan, when referring yesterday to recently gazetted regulations Io control the sale of certain types of cable. He said that this action bad become necessary because of the serious supply situation. Endeavour-, bad been made to procure stocks from overseas markets, including Great Britain, America, ami Australia, but. only one very small shipment had arrived within recent times. With the prosecution of the extensive defence building programme now in hand, large quantities of cables would be required, and it .was probable that sales of existing New Zealand stocks for ordinary purposes would nave to lie rationed to enable those essential works to be completed without delay. Mr. Sullivan stated that the regulations called for a return id' stocks of ail electric cables—other than hnrd-drawii copper overhead conductors, underground electric-supply cables, telephone wires and cables, and col I on-covered, silk-cover-ed and asbestos-covered or enamelled wire—held by merchants, electrical contractors, power boards and other.-, throughout. New Zealand. 'l'liis would enable the total stocks now available in New Zealand to be ascertained, and would determine to what extent rationing. if tiny, would have l<> be instituted.