THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” MONDAY, MAY 8, 1944. SAVE POWER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32428, 8 May 1944, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” MONDAY, MAY 8, 1944. SAVE POWER

No doubt if the public can be induced to switch the power off receiving sets during the periods when broadcasting stations are not transmitting, an appreciable saving of electricity will be made. This point calls for repeated emphasis, because in very many households “the wireless” is commonly switched on first thing in the morning anc. left crooning away to itself indefinitely. This may have been the case on Monday morning when the new economy schedule of broadcasting was introduced, for it was reported that no appreciable reduction in the consumption of power could be detected.

On the other hand, the morning was cold, and the consequent drain on power for radiators may have counter-bal-anced the relatively small saving of the power required by receivers. But from all the evidence placed before the public in recent months it would appear that power saving by this means during peak-load periods of the day will at best be of limited effect in coping with the electricity shortage. Even now, when the country is only on the fringe of winter, the position threatens to be acute—yet it must inevitably become worse. Should it become necessary at intervals in the coming winter months to deprive whole districts of power, great hardship and dislocation will be caused. Nothing should be left undone which is likely to obviate the need for such measures, yet it would seem that little can be done in the meantime without the honest and conscientious cooperation of all the people in using the minimum of necessary power when the loading for essential transport and industrial purposes is at its heaviest. The problem represents a test of the community spirit and voluntary discipline in this country. It can be overcome if the people act in unison; if they do not, many may suffer for the carelessness and irresponsibility of a few.