RECURRING CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26473, 29 May 1947, Page 6

RECURRING CRISIS

Water and Power Supply “ in Dunedin PROBLEM TO MANUFACTURERS Concern has been expressed by Dunedin manufacturers who are substantial users of water at the recurrence of a 'water supply crisis, and at a meeting of the executive council of the Otago-Southland Manufacturers’ Association this week it was decided to write to the City Council asking it what plans were being put into immediate effect to supplement the existing water supply and storage. In a statement to the Daily Times yesterday, the secretary of the association, Mr F. L. Hitchens, said that manufacturers would be undertaking considerable expansion of their industries in the course of the next five years, and every progressive move would require full community services, such as water and power supply. Assurances must be obtained that these would be available at all times.

Hundreds of machine tools and equipment in use in modern industry are power-driven, and the future of the electric power supply was also among the problems discussed by the council of the association. Every encouragement would be given to the civic authorities to proceed with the development of further stations in the Waipori system, Mr Hitchens said. Manufacturers would display considerable interest and would co-operate, wherever possible, to achieve a thoroughly adequate supply system.

Mr Hitchens said it had been mentioned that well-informed authorities connected with power supply felt that it was inadvisable to rely entirely on water power for the generating of electricity. Although this was more applicable to the North Island, which was subject to earthquake and other unnatural disturbances that could wreck a power system or divert the sources of supply, some manufacturers in Dunedin were already investigating the availability of auxiliary power plants. It was felt, however, he added, that the situation could be met with the minimum inconvenience if all sections of the community would co-operate in the conservation of power and if every step was taken to obtain an increased supply before such a position became necessary.