POWER RESTRICTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24606, 14 May 1941, Page 6

POWER RESTRICTIONS

LIKELY IN NORTH ISLAND EFFECT OF COAL SHORTAGE (PA) AUCKLAND, May 13. " I think you will hear an announcement from the Government next week regarding the scale of reductions in the use of electricity in the North Island" said Mr S. J. Harbutt, chairman of the Auckland Electric Power Board at a meeting of representatives of the electricity trade to-day, when the necessity for economising in the use of electricity and the methods of attaining that end were discussed. Mr Harbutt had been asked if, in view of the present coal shortage, the imposition of immediate restrictions in the use of electricity might not be necessary. , , " Up to now we have been educating the housewife into the greatest degree of extravagance in the use of electricity, but now we must teach her little ways of economising," said Mr R H Bartley, manager of the board. Dealers were asked to restrict the sale of large radiators, and to explain the position to customers, he said. The shortage of units was due to a lack of coal and water, but the trouble with the peak was brought about by a lack of materials. Without hitches, there were sufficient materials to guarantee a normal increase in the load this year, but next year the board would not know how to handle it. The coal dump position was serious.