SHORTAGE OF POWER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19895, 24 March 1939, Page 4

SHORTAGE OF POWER

THIS YEAR OR NEXT ANXIETY EXPRESSED APPROACH TO MINISTER. The possibility of a shortage of power from the Government generating stations, during the present year or in 1940, is envisaged by the ElectricPower Boards and Supply Authorities’ Association, which is sponsoring an approach to the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, with a view to recommending immediate steps to have the generating plants reinforced. The position was dealt with in a letter received from the association by the Poverty Bay Electric-Power Board at to-day’s mee> ing. ‘‘Over the past year there has been a growing measure of anxiety as to the ability of the Government generating stations to meet rapidly-growing loads in both islands.” wrote the association's secretary.

‘‘At a recent regional meeting in the South Island the matter was discussed and it was resolved to gather statistics and place these before the Minister and the Public Works Department, with a view to having urgent steps taken to obviate any possibility ol’ a shortage in power* supplies. ■ '' ’ ’ Conference In North Island “It is intended to hold a similar conference of North Island authorities as soon as the requisite data is available, this conference following on the discussion which took place in the final stages of last annual conference. “Will you please, therefore, fill J in the attached schedule and return it to this office as soon as possible. “There seems no doubt that a shortage of power will be encountered either this year or next, unless steps are taken immediately, and therefore your action in returning the attached schedule will assist materially in avoiding any possible trouble.” On the motion of the actingchairman, Mr. M. T. Trafford, the managing-secretary was instructed to provide the information required by the association. IMPORT REGULATIONS ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT The possible effect of import restrictions on electrical equipment was the subject of a letter received from the Central Waikato Electric-Power Board, which suggested appropriate action to secure a relaxation of the import regulations, pending the development of industries in New Zealand to meet the growing need for equipment. The letter pointed out that power authorities had built up the demand for electricity and had based their whole economy upon the supposition that development would be uninterrupted. Under present conditions, there was a strong demand for equipment which could not be manufactured in the Dominion in sufficient quantities, if at all. [ The continuance of the policy of 'he development of the power load was dependent upon a full range of appliances and equipment being available to the boards and to the public. The Poverty Bay board was asked to support the Central Waikato board in its approach to the Government on the matter.

“It seems quite reasonable that the Government should be asked to suspend the import restrictions until such time as New Zealand is in a position to meet the demand for equip■ment,” said the acting-chairman, Mr. T. TrafTord, when the letter was read to the meeting.

On the motion of Mr. H. H. DeCosta, seconded by Mr. C. W. Izod. the board agreed to support the proposals.