ELECTRIC POWER PROBLEMS

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1232, 29 May 1947, Page 6

ELECTRIC POWER PROBLEMS

QUESTIONS ANSWERED Federated Farmers’ Interest Mr. W. A. Rushton, who interviewed the manager and chairman of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board, Messrs. R. Sprague and J. F. Mayn, respectively, with reference to matters brought forward at a recent meeting of Morvinsville sub-province, Federated Farmers, has reported on a complaint that an ex-servicemon was charged full amount for the renewal of a power service line to his farm. Mr. Rushton was advised- by Mr. Sprague that the power board did not make reductions to ex-ser-vicemen, but he understood assistance Was given by the Rehabilitation or Lands Department. Concerning a complaint by Mir. O. W. Mutcahy indicating that at Waikaremoana the hostel used sufficient power for 800 houses, Mr. Sprague said he had no comment to offer about other power boards or districts. However, he knew that at W aikaremoana three shifts were worked, and that might be the explanation.

Use of Waterheaters Referring to local cuts, Mr. Sprague said the board could make the cuts lighter by cutting out waterheaiters, but its members felt that farmers’ wives would prefer to retain- use of waterheaters. The use of electric stoves for heating water created a 30 per cent, waste of power. Mr. Rushton said farmers should remember that ten out of twelve members of the board were farmers, including the chairman, and he felt satisfied the interests of country consumers were being well protected. Asked what the position would be when the new dairying, season commenced in August, Mr. Sprague said the power would be sufficient to meet the increased demand. In/ the staggering of power cuts care had been taken of the hours worked in dairy factories, particularly where casein was manufactured, as this commodity could easily be spoilt.

ELECTRICITY SHORTAGE (To the Editor) Sir, —Your leading article of the 15th inst. was timely. The con dieting press reports of various inequalities are disturbing to all who have to experience shortages and rationing, often needless. To get “more light’’ and power it is- time a conference of local feodis, farmers and power board was called in Morrinsville, Mr. W. S. Goosman to ■be the convener. The order of reference should include:— 1. A percentage allowance for the dairy farm heater load which our power board has to carry as compared with certain city power boards which have few, if any, dairy farms in their area. It should be noted that because dairy farm wate'rheaters consume approximately 27 per cent, of all power used, and that they must provide water of a certain temperature, all other users in the same area suffer extra power cuts to make up for the extra large consumption in our board’s ■area. It would be an easy matter for the board to prohibit the use of waterheaters and so save power that would help those who use light and power for cooking. The waterheaters being off would mean that electric power cuts would not be so severe as they are at present. Dairy farms must have their waterheaters, and so the extra load must be carried, otherwise dairy production is affected and our national income is jeopardised. If, then, it is in the national interests that dairy farms must have their waterheaters on for many hpurs a day, then the Thames Valley Power Board should receive an extra allowance for this purpose, especially in view of the fact that this board’s area has the greatest concentration of dairy .farms in New Zealand. 2. Press reports on 17th inst. state that rain had fallen at Taupo and Waikavemoana, “yet according to a power supply authority there is no possibility of an immediate easing of the power restrictions.” Immediately following the above statement the paper also prints in the same . issue a message from Wellington “that the removal of a large portion of the city power cuts will be made in Wellington next wee-k (18th to 24th May) following an improvement in the power situation.” How can Wellington show an improvement and Auckland no easing of power cuts ? We are given to understand that the output of all power stations in the North Island i@ pooled. Is Wellington

getting an advantage because the lake at Mangahao is full of water? 3. There are press reports that little, if any, cuts are imposed in the districts of Hillcrest, Tauhei and' Huntly. There may be other districts, too, seemingly receivingfavoured treatment. Why? 4. Another question that needs urgent attention is the matter of providing more power in the coming months of July, August and September, when the weather will be cold and the dairy industry will be drawing off increased power both morning and evening. The present hours are insufficient to maintain the water in heaters at even scalding heat, let alone boiling, as the dairy regulations demand. In addition, many cows are being milked by hand ’because the power does not come on early enough in the evening, and even with some hand milking farmers do not find it helpful to finish milking when the power goes off at 6.15 p.m., and then have no power for pi-eparing the evening meal. For power boards to say “the power position will be all right in July and August” is not sufficient to allay the fears of the dairy farmers. The whole facts should be made public. 5. The proposed conference should ■also demand some evidence that oiiiburning plant, to increase the supply of power, will be provided by the Government. The cost should he a charge on the Consolidated Fund, because the present Government failed to take notice of repeated warnings by power boards that the present crisis would arise. Such stand-by plant would :be invaluable in times of shortage, breakdown or

overhauling of water power plants. I suggest that the proposed conference be convened urgently, and that immediate consideration be given to the above .questions and others relevant to power shortage matters. A deputation should be sent to Wellington to place the matter before the Government and action demanded. The electric power position is serious and demands urgent attention. C. CATES, President, Te Punir.ga Branch, Federated Farmers.