POWER SHORTAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24531, 13 March 1943, Page 6

POWER SHORTAGE

SUPPLY IN WINTER CONTROL OF CONSUMPTION (0.C.) WANGANUI, Frdia.v A campaign to encourage consumers to economise in the use of electricity following the forecast of a power shortage in the North Island during the coming winter is being launched by the Wanganui-Rangitikei Power Board. It was reported at the meeting of the board to-day that the aggregate allocation to supply authorities in the North Island this winter would be the same as last year, but defence requirements were taking a largo proportion of the power available and in the event of a breakdown in the plant the supply would be reduced. Some areas were affected more than others. The secretary of the board, Mr. G. A. Ammundsen, said that two years ago a special meeting was held of all North Island supply authorities, when the Dominion Controller, Mr. F. T. M. Kissell, emphasised that a shortage of power must be faced until the end of the war. The bulk power advisory committee again met in Wellington last week and emphasised that all loads must be carefully controlled. The chairman of the WanganuiRangitikei Power Board, said that another difficulty was the restoration of .street lighting, but if the lighting hours were reduced a considerable saving would be effected. Many centres had reverted to unreduced lighting, which meant heavy demands on power. "The danger so far has only been halted," said Mr. Purnell. "and it is just a question whether the lifting of the restrictions, which means increased power consumption for street lamps and business lighting, was started a little too soon."