WATER-HEATING CUT

Chronicle (Levin), 20 March 1947, Page 5

WATER-HEATING CUT

- Press Association

NOT SUGGESTION OF ROARDS

Bv Telegraph—

WBT.LINGTOX, March 19. Xo submissions have been made to the Goveniiiient by tlie Electric Power Boards and Supply Authorities Association of New Zealand concerning tlie cessation of domestic water-heating as a nieans of meeting tlie hydro electricity crisi(s. The explanation it tliat there is a considerable differenct of opinion among the boards and authorities on the necessity for a c'ourse of action which would bi bound to be highly unpopular, am I equally certain to cause great in ! convenience and hardship to largi j numbers of consumers. Wlien the emergency committee ot ! the association decided yesterday after noon upon a number of power eonserva j tion reconiniendations,' after two and a half hours of analysing proposals re ceived from the afliliated organisations the vitallv-important question o. domestic water heating was omitted and was left open for diseussion with the State Hydro-electricity Department j Later, when the committee presenteo I its reeomiiiendations to the Department its members found that the Governinen ; aiready proposed to issue an order dis pensing with domestic waterheating. It was made plain by the presient oi' the association and chairman of tliv emergency committee (Mr. J. A. Nash. of Paliuerston North) tliat the deeision was independent of any representations made by the organisation. Nimibers of power boards and supply authorities are reported to be flatly opposed to the elimination of domestic water-heating even for a lirief period which is generally thought to be about two months. On the other hand, other boards and authorities consider thai this course of action is justiiied in a national emergency, despite tlie hardship and inconvenience. The question Avas put by tlie departmental representatives to the emergency coinmittee whether it could suggest anv other vvav of saving the 25 per cent. of power c'onsumption which is represent ed by domestic water-heating. There was 110 ready alternative shorf-term means of reducing the strain upon th hydro-electricity serviee. However, tlq committee acknowledged the positioi: thus presented, but with misgivings. Frank Statement Wanted The association, it is clear from eomniunications from oflicers of the afliliated organisations, hopes that th* Minister of Worlcs (Mr. Semple) wil take an early opportunity to make : frank explanation of the situation, pre ferably by means of a broadeasfc. Three points on which specific information is

desired are the •teclinical nieans o. eonserving power, liow long tlie con scrvation will lie necessary, and wht. there has not been suflicient eoal at t.h-: Evans Bay (Wellington) and King's Wliarf (Auckland) power plants.