SUGGESTION TO MEET POWER SHORTAGE

Chronicle (Levin), 17 April 1946, Page 8

SUGGESTION TO MEET POWER SHORTAGE

-Press • Association

By Telearav -V

AUCKLAND, April .16.A / statement that steps should be taken imuxediately to ineet the grave shartage of electricity that could be expec.tcd in the coming- winter, and that the best thixxg tha.t opuld'be -done would be to ration all consumers, was xnade by fhe Mayof, Mr. J. A. C. Alluxn. The position had to be faced that tliere wa's going to bea slxortage'of electric power for some time and it appeared the only thing the people could do was to make the best of it. The inxportaut thing Was for the authorities to make such arrangenxents as would enable the people to earn their kvelihood and at the .same time ensux-e a xninimuxxx of inconvenienee in tlxe home, said Mr. Allum. Every consumpr could be allowed an allocation of electricity at tlxe usual rate and when that was exceeded, a penal char.ge of say oaxe shilling a unit eould be made for tlxe extra consumption. A threat to disconnect. pCrsistently exorbitant users from thei supply source, could also aeeompany the penalty. This rationixxg syetem would keep people witlxin bounds and they would lcnow where they stood and could make .their own arraiLgements within the limits of the power available to them. If it were considered' desirable, the extra revenue receivod fx'om penalties could be given t(, some charitable institution uxxtil -some organised basis was decided upon. Mr. Allum said tlxe Bystem of rationing he had suggested for. electricity c(-uld also be applied to gas if necessary during the winter. 4 When the Mayor's statement was referred to .the general manager of the Auckland 'Electric Power Boai'd/ Mr. R. H. Bartley, he said personally he was not in favour of penal rates. Not only would they raise a number of account: ing difficulties but they would also play into the liands of th.ose who could afford to pay extra, at the cost of those xvho could not.- .. .