Drastic Measures To Be Taken

Chronicle (Levin), 15 March 1947, Page 5

Drastic Measures To Be Taken

— press Associatidn

big load reductlon

*y Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, Mar. 14. At tlie present rate of consump.ion tlie little water in storage Diat remams in the Nortli Islarid. vVill be completely exhausted in ul) d-ays, after wnich the supply of- electric power will have to be jiit by a half. This is the present power supply situation as described this aiternoon by Mr. Seniple, who emphasised the gravity of the poSicion. "This condition cannot be iliowed to happen, and it is therefore essential that the load be.reduced by at least 30 per cent., day and night, seven days a week," 11 e said. "That this situation would arise had previously been pointed out," he said, "but to all appeals io economy consumers have turned a deaf ear, and so drastic

measureS' have to be taken at once. Supply authorities had beeh direetetl to reduce loqA but they can comply with this request jnly by cutting off power from whole sect.ons of the community it a time. In this way much liardfhip is eaused and essential use oi'power is prevented. "Failing voluntary curtailment of power more positive steps will have to be taken," said the Minisler, "and those ste])s are now under Lirgent eons.deration by tlie ! roverinn ent. ' ' In tlie meantime he strongly urged every eonsumer to conserve p'ower to the utmost extent.