NEED FOR POWER

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24824, 22 February 1944, Page 6

NEED FOR POWER

PROMPT ACTION UEGED OFFICIAL DELAY CRITICISED Steps which might bo taken by the Government to alleviate the shortage of electric power were suggested in a report received by tho Waitemata Electric-Power Board from its executive officers at its meeting yesterday. "We believe," stated the report, "that if the Government undertook the task with the energy it deserves a serious crisis could be averted or at least minimised." The officers suggested that a purchasing delegation should be sent overseas to arrange priorities and procure suitable oil-burning, steam, Diesel and hydro plant from every available source; that supply authorities be empowered to procure and instal any hydro plant for schemes which, in their opinion, are economically sound and that the Government assist them in the purchase of equipment; and that the manpower of the country be mobilised in a drive for the rapid completion of the Karapiro scheme, Waikaremoana Upper development and the next Waikato development. Lag Betore the War

Referring to tho recent statement of the Minister of Works, the Hon. R. Sample, the report stated: "It can be shown that the power shortage is not caused by war conditions; that war conditions have actually saved the Government from a disastrous breakdown of the North island generating system; that the requirements of the armed forces have made little difference to the shortage which Government ineptitude made certain; and that the Government has not made all the efforts it could to meet _the immediate crisis and future requirements." Elaborating these assertions, the report states that before the war started and during the Minister's term of office the generating capacity of the main stations lagged behind the system demand by 70,000 kw. and recapitulates tho representations made by the supply authorities from 1937 onward. Had the pre-war rate of increase in demand continued, the total generating capacity would have been overloaded by 1942 and the Government housing plans, industrial development and such like would have come to a sudden stop, resulting in untold confusion, inconvenience and loss to the general public, says the report in reference to its assertion that war conditions saved a hreak- b down in the supply system in the North Island.

Vital Time Lost The growth of load in pre-war vears was from 12J to 15 per cent, if the Minister's statement that the armed forces in the North Island absorbed 4 per cent of the total units generated were correct, the normal development of the country would have absorbed that amount three or four times over. Moreover, the demands of the armed forces in the last 12 months had considerably decreased.

Although the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, had agreed in September, 194,3, that a delegation of experts should be sent overseas none had yet departed. Six vital months had passed since the Napier conference urged the Government to instal steam generating plants and the Minister of Finance had agreed that this should be done and had indicated that there should be no difficulty in procuring fuel oil until the coal position improved. It had also been recommended that where there were suitable sites for small hydro developments the Works Department or the supply authority be given permission to instal generating plant, but although Mr. Nash had iiailecl this as a valuable suggestion nothing had been done.

"The position is alarming and something will have to be done to obviate the coming shortage." said the chairman, Mr. R. N. White, in moving the adoption of the report. "If the suggestions in the report are given effect to, the power shortage will not be as acute for so long as it will be if the present policy of drift is allowed to continue." "It demonstrates the consistent inconsistency of the Government," said Mr. H. T. Gibson, in moving that the officers responsible for the report be congratulated. Both motions were carried. ■ EXCESS CONSUMPTION COMPLAINT FROM CONTROLLER The Government could not expect the board to keep within its allocation of a 4 per cent increase in power consumption on last year's figure after the Government itself increased the consumption bv 11 per cent, said the manager of the Waitemota Electric-Power Board. Mr. A. Main, at a meeting of the board yesterday. A letter was received from the Electricity Controller. Mr. F. T. M. Kissel, pointing out that the board had exceeded its allocation of weekly percentage increase in unit consumption, and asking that consumption bo reduced accordingly. "It is impossible to decrease consumption without hardship to consumers," said Mr. Main. As a result of demands for power hy the OJovernment, defence authorities, the city council, and others, the board had installed additional motors of 1100 horse-power for essential undertakings, which represented an increase in the load of 11 per cent, he added. This was in addition to the normal increase in demand within the district. The board had power to reduce the hours allowed for water heating, but so far had not done so, "The publif will not pay the cover charge for water heating indefinitely while the heating is cut off for increasing periods," remarked Mr. Main. The manager was authorised to visit Wellington and take up the question with the Electricity Controller.

ELECTRIC WATER-HEATERS SUBSIDY FOR THERMOSTATS The offer of a Government subsidy of £1 for £1 up to a maximum of £2 toward the cost where supply authorities intended enforcing the fitting of thermostats to water-heating installations was received at a meeting of the Waitemata Electric-Power Board yesterday in a letter from the Electricity Controller. Mr. F. T. M. Kissel This would mean that the cost of 'fitting thermostats up to £4 would he met by the Government and the board, said the manager, Mr. A. Main. Any cost over £4 would be borne by the consumer. "What about consumers who have already paid their portion under the previous arrangement?" asked Mr. J. Guiniven. The subsidy could not be made retrospective, said Mr. Main. It was not proposed to make the fitting compulsory as far as the Government was concerned, stated the controller's letter, in view of the fact that .sufficient thermostats for all existing installations would probably not be in the country for two or three years. Jt ivas stated that the board had resolved at a previous meeting to enforce the fitting of thermostats within its district. JURY DISAGREES CP.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH. Monday The jury disagreed to-night in the trial of William Mullally, aged 27, a confectioner, on a charge of negligent driving causing the death of. Peter J. S. Woods, aged 14, near Norinanbv, on January 17. Woods, who was riding a bicycle on the New Plymouth-Hawera Boad toward Normanby, was alleged to have been struck by a truck driven by accused in the same direction. QUEENSLAND ELECTIONS BRfIiSBAiNE, Feb. 18 The State general elections for Queensland will he held on Saturday, April I*s. the Premier, Mr. Cooper, announced at the final session of the Labour convention in Bundaberg. Intending candidates have eight weeks in which to conduct their campaigns.