DAMAGE AT ARAPUNI

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23975, 16 June 1943, Page 2

DAMAGE AT ARAPUNI

TWO OR THREE WEEKS FOR REPAIRS APPEAL FOR STRICT ECONOMY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 15. The unfortunate results that would follow if there was a breakdown in the power, supply of the North Island were emphasised by the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) in an address to-night. When referring to the serious fault that had developed in a generator at Arapuni, he disclosed that it would take two or three weeks to repair the damaged unit, and said that during that period it was absolutely essential for every consumer of electricity to do his utmost to save power When the load reached the limit the machines could generate, there were only two alternatives for the engineers. They could stand idle and watch the whole North Island generating system break down, or they could immediately cut off the supply to some districts, with consequent inconvenience to those districts. For example, if the power were cut off in a district every electric light went out, every electric motor stopped, every electric tram and electric train came to a halt, people in lifts would have to stay there, and there would also be severe handicaps in hospitals, on farms, and also to households and factories. No one wanted these things to happen. The only alternative was that between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. every day people must think of the other fellow every time they moved to switch on a light, plug in the radiator, or tune in the radio set. Every soldier and airman in camp must carry out the same idea and not use one electric light or radiator more than absolutely necessary. Mr Sullivan also made a special appeal to factory managers to economise in the use of electric power. It would be desirable for factories other than those engaged on important munition works to start a little earlier in the morning, with the object of stopping half an hour earlier in the afternoon if possible. He suggested that shops on late nights should operate with reduced lighting between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., and said it might be possible for them to close down for that hour. RADIO STATIONS SHUT DOWN HOUSE ADJOURNS EARLY From Our Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, June 15. The House of Representatives took the tea adjournment to-day shortly after 5 o’clock, instead of 5.30, because radio stations were closing down during the peak loading period because of the breakdown at Arapuni. After the Hon. D. G. Sullivan had made the suggestion, and explained the reason, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S'. G. Holland) said he would agree on this occasion, but said it was time the House took a more serious view about changing the sitting hours. When Mr Sullivan explained the position Mr Holland said all of them wanted to meet the difficulties arising from the situation, but they were becoming prone to play to the radio audience. They had sat that morning so that they could stop at 10 o’clock at night, because that would be interfering with broadcasting. Was it of such paramount importance that Parliament must always be on the air. That afternoon Mr W. Sullivan had been taken off the air so that for a short time stations could be linked for a statement about the shutdown of stations. Should Parliament have made a short adjournment then? It was Just as logical as to adjourn earlier for tea. The Opposition had not had time to consider the Minister’s suggestion, and would consent on this occasion, but there was too ihuch. chopping and changing in the sitting hours. The Minister, in reply, said Ke was sorry ..there, had • been so much aio. He had thought that courtesy would be shown toward whoever was the next speaker. The reason for closing down the stations was not because the stations used much power, but because the sets of the people who were listening used, power. He thanked Mr Holland for his consent, however ungraciously given. Mr Holland: Not ungraciously. POSITION IN SOUTH ISLAND The acting-district electrical engineer of the Public Works Department (Mr L. S. Payne) said last evening that he had received no information about the closing down of the radio stations. Arrangements had been made in Wellington. The power position in the South Island was satisfactory, and presumably the closing down of all radio stations was to relieve the power load in the North Island and prevent listeners from tuning in to South Island programmes. POWER BOARD’S SUGGESTION A suggestion that the electricity controller Mr F. T. M. Kissel, should be advised that, in view of the tremendous waste of electrical power in the broadcasting and reception of radio programmes, a selected six hours in the day’s programme could easily be cut out, was adopted by the Wanga-nui-Rangitikei Power Board. A letter from the Hutt Valley Power Board, making the suggestion, explained that such a reduction in broad- ' casting in the Dominion, particularly at night, would also involve a decrease , in the consumption of electric power for lighting and heating, thus contributing to the necessary reduction in the heavy load on the Dominion’s generating stations. The chairman, Mr F. Purnell, com- : mented that listeners might tune in to overseas stations if New Zealand ones were off the air.