N.I. POWER CUTS TEMPORARY ONLY; REPLY TO MR. HOLLAND

Grey River Argus, 22 March 1947, Page 5

N.I. POWER CUTS TEMPORARY ONLY; REPLY TO MR. HOLLAND

P.A. WELLINGTON, March 21.

Assurance that the restrictions on the use of electric power would be repealed immediately the supply position permitted was given by the Minister of Supply, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in a telegram sent to-day to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G Holland, in reply to his suggestion that a conference of members representative of both Parties in Parliament should be convened to consider the situation that had arisen over the supply of electricity. After expressing appreciation of Mr. Holland’s suggestion, the Minister mentioned that, before receipt of Mr. Holland’s telegram, regulations had been passed requiring the supply authorities to reduce the consumption by 20 per cent., the metlwd to be determined by the supply authorities themselves, with a proviso that, if they were unable to effect the necessary reduction by other means, they must reduce the power used in thermal hot water services. - The Government, added Mr. Sullivan, regretted the necessity for thu passing of these regulations, which, of course, were of a temporary nature. In’the meantime, steps which have been taken would enable the supply authorities to effect the reductions most suitable in their own areas, and would, he trusted, ensure the conservation of available power for the most essential purposes. To further assist the position, the Government had also taken steps to reduce the consumption by further limiting the radio broadcasting services and the street lighting.

“In the circumstances, therefore, regulations are already in operation and in view of the fact that the new and the public are aware of the position, the setting up of the committed you suggest does not appear to be necessary at present,” said Mr. Sullivan.

“The present temporary shortage of power is due to the drought conditions in hydro electric water storage areas, super-imposed upon unavoidable ’delay in thq completion of the new powei’ stations, which has been entirely due to the impossibility of obtaining earlier deliveries of machinery and equipment from overseas. We are expediting by every means in our powei’ the completion of additional generating plants at Karapiro and Waikare Moana. We anticipate that these will be partially in operation within two months, and will be completed by the end of this year.”