VOLUNTARY POWER SAVING SOUGHT IN NORTH ISLAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 October 1948, Page 6

VOLUNTARY POWER SAVING SOUGHT IN NORTH ISLAND

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The power, supply authorities in the North Island are directed by the State Hydro-Electric Department this week to seek the immediate cooperation of the public in power economies with the object of avoiding arbitrary, cuts next winter. The Electricity Controller, Mr A. E. Davenport, in a message to the North Island supply authorities today, said that the hydraulic position had shown some improvement during the last week, but the consumption was still high, and was 7.66 per cent, above the allocation for the week. From now on, said Mr Davenport, until the end of the year the allocations would approximate consumption during the corresponding period of 1947. : This was necessary, in order that a greater quantity of power could be made -available during the cold winter months, when it was most needed.

By now, representatives of the power supply authorities, who attended the recent conference at Dunedin, would have returned, and it was expected that they would put into effect the measures endorsed by the conference.

The chief of these was the enlistment of the consumers’ co-operation in order that the objectionable practice of imposing arbitrary power cuts might thereby be avoided. It was agreed, 'continued Mr Davenport, that a united effort in this direction should be made by all authorities in the interests of consumers. If the outcome of such a campaign was successful, then it should, be possible to keep power available at- all times, -and enable the work of the country to proceed in the homes, on the farms, and in industry, with a minimum upset to all.