SYDNEY PROSPECT OF SEVERE CUTS IN WINTER POWER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22915, 6 April 1949, Page 7

SYDNEY PROSPECT OF SEVERE CUTS IN WINTER POWER

SYDNEY, April 5.

The most severe rationing Sydney has known is proposed in a report presented to the State Cabinet by the Minister of Works and Local Government, Mr. J, J. Cahill.

■ Under it Sydney would be divided into four industrial zones, one of which would be blacked out each fourth working day. Consumers who broke the restrictions would have the power disconnected.

All domestic consumers would be partially deprived of power for four and a half hours daily during morning and early evening periods. Industry would be closely watched to see that extra power should not be used in the evenings.

Exterior lighting for advertising purposes and shop windows would be banned between 7 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. and space heating would not be permitted except where part of a manufacturing process. Restrictions already in force ban the use of radiators and most exterior lighting and reduce interior lighting by half. The Ministers will study the report and meet again later this week to decide whether full rationing proposals should be adopted, or whether they should be modified.

The plan affects all areas in New South Wales supplied by the inter-con-nected power systems, including towns as far distant as Wagga, Dutabo and lismore.

General principles regarded by the special committee as essential if the available power is to be properly used during the winter are: Firstly, that factories should reduce their day loads by about 30 per cent; secondly, that the existing restrictions should be retained and enforced; and thirdly, that the domestic load should be reduced by 25 per cent, during the peak periods.