Where Electricity Might be Saved

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 125, 30 May 1944, Page 4

Where Electricity Might be Saved

(To the Editor.) Sir,—ln your leader on Saturday you refer to the circular from the office of the Electricity Controller. I received one some time ago and have since wondered if the City Council had received one, for, every night of the week lights in the Band Rotunda in the Square blaze forth in useless waste of electricity. Economy, as well as charity, begins -at home. You say: “Unquestionably, self-control is the ideal form of rationing to be applied to the use of electricity. But, if the public does not exercise that self-control, then the authorities will have to exercise it in mandatory fashion which may not prove at all pleasant to endure. Citizen*-, therefore, are urged *o adopt the slogan ‘Switch it off’—to switch off all lights, heaters, the radio and any other clectricity consuming devices when they are not actually required in use. Here is a, true test of public-spiritedness.” I suggest that here is an excellent opportunity for the City Council to give a lead. I would also like to suggest that the minimum charge be abolished for the duration. Electricity, like coupons, is frequently used to the full, for no one likes to pay for what one does not get If the minimum charge cannot be abolished, let the Council provide to consumers, who use less than the minimum charged for, when they pay their accounts, a National Savings folder for savings stamps. If a consumer uses only three lighting units at 5d per unit (Is 3d) and pays the minimum (2s 6d), savings stamps to the value of Is (i.e., to nearest Gd) could be Inserted In the National Savings folder by the Council’s teller. Thus a saving of electricity is encouraged, National Savings are boosted and the Council receives a small contribution by way of fractions. Trusting the Band Rotunda lights are out to-night.—l am, etc., “MINIMUM CHARGE.”