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Greymouth Evening Star, 10 February 1947, Page 5

4,000,000 IDLED

Effect Of Power Cuts . In Britain MOST ■ INDUSTRIES PARALYSED (Recd. noon.) LONDON, February 9. On the eve of Britain’s greatest electricity shut down, the forecast for to-morrow is: “Cold in most districts with a slight thaw in the south, which may spread to the north.” Tempera-' tures rose in the south-east and London and turned the snow in the city into heavy slush. The Government has issued a further warning: Exceptional weather continues io hinder coal production and distribution. Everything possible is being done to get coal to the larger power stations, but the supplies will suffice only lor essential services and the minimum requirements of householders during permitted hours only. The whole nation’s co-operation will enable the Government and the electricity undertakings to maintain vital services and avert the danger of a breakdown, but there is little margin of safety.”

The Times, in a leading article, .says the expedient of closing down the core of British industry is no less necessary for being desperate. Ils difficulties and grave effects are no arguments against its application now and the tendency of some weakened comment to put all the emphasis on them was disquieting. The restrictions throw into relief the melancholic contrast between the foresight which insisted on bread rationing and the lingering reluctance to command consumption reductions, enabling the creation of stocks sufficient to carry the country through without grievous damage. This reluctance was, in effect, a gamble, especially in view of the precarious state ' of transport. The gamble was now tragically exposed by the onset of uncommonly severe weather. The Government can never forget, except at its own and the nation’s peril that the country’s coat in future must be cut according to the cloth. The latest Air Ministry forecast

says the end of England’s Arctic spell is in sight. A general thaw is spreading in all districts. Snow continues in Scotland. Some defeatists among the Labour Party’s opponents would not raise a hand to save Britain from disaster, provided it caused the fall of the pre-, sent Government, said the AttorneyGeneral, Sir Hartley Shawcross, speaking at Manchester. They had done their best to undermine and sabotage the Government’s policies at home and abroad. The people, however, by faith and hard work, would triumph over their present difficulties.

The present trouble, he added, would set back the programme of economic recovery, which had been making good progress. The emergency would pass comparatively quickly, but the problem of fuel consumption running ahead of supply would still have to be faced. The position next winter would at least be as serious, unless production was increased.