POWER AND PERMITS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 147, 23 June 1945, Page 6

POWER AND PERMITS

The power supply crisis is unfortunately so acute that it justifies,many reduction expedients that would not otherwise be tolerated. For instance, the restriction on the purchase of radiators places all new home-makers at a decided disadvantage. The people who already have radiators can use them, subject to certain restrictions' Those who are not fortunate-must first take the hurdle.of a permit to purchase. If they cannot get this permit, they may try to buy in the private market, with the risk of having to pay much more than if permit-issuing did not limit ordinary sales. Obviously the restriction is so unfair in its operation that its usefulness in reducing the power load is bought at a high price. This applies also to all restrictions on the installation of electrical appliances which are common in the homes that got them before the power shortage, but now cannot be obtained at all. The "first come, first served" method of apportioning the use of power is justifiable in averting an imminent breakdown, but it is not justifiable if fairer methods of rationing can be put into effect. It is .admitted that the fairer methods have been applied, and their extension now does not promise the full saving that is necessary. Nevertheless, the extension of common-saving methods should be carried out, if only to lessen public discontent. A further cut in broadcasting hours can be made, and there should be every effort to enforce on the "haves" the economy in power and light use (with all appliances) that the "have-nots" are compelled to practise. We think, too, that there should be renewed exploration of all possible means of quickly augmenting power supply. Even if temporary and comparatively uneconomic installations are resorted to, that cannot be so expensive to industry and welfare as the present shortage. In a word, it costs far more to be without power than to pay more for it.