HEAVIER CUTS COMING

Chronicle (Levin), 22 March 1947, Page 4

HEAVIER CUTS COMING

How 20 Per Cent. Reductiofl Will Affect District No official instructions regarding the introduction of the 20 per cent. PUt- in electric poWer had yet e'orae to hand from the Electricity Controller, said the managing-secretary of the HorOwhentfa P'ower Board, Mr. R. A. Frederikson, yesterday, but a schedule of more severe local cuts would have to be dr'awn up and be placed before the board. The board had been fortuffate Ih not having had emergericy cuts during the week, he continued. It had been hoped that the normal three daily cuts would have sufftced ' over the weekend, but, it was now necessary to impose an additional cut from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoori. This would be a eomplete shut-down over the whole of the board's district. ' Mr. ' Frederikson stressed the necessity of consumers conservi'hg power at every possible opportunity. Considerable personal sacrifice would have to be.iiiade by the public. Commenting on the effect of the 20 per cent. reduction in the Horowhenua district, Mr. Frederikson said it would amount to four hours of complete blackout daily. Just . how this would be spread over the 24-hour period was not yet decided, but it was obvious that, though contrary to the board's policy, wa'tefheaters might have to go, or their use drastically restricted. Every effort would, however, be made to avoid such action, and consumers could be- assured that mch Steps would only result from dire necessity. Since before Christmas the board had been exceeding its quota by five and sometimes 12 per cent. In order to reduce the present load by 20 ner cent. as demandeff, a reduc:ion of approximately 120,000 units a week was necessary, or a daily reduction of approximately 17,000 units. Water heaters amounted to 32 per cent. of the board's load. Comnienting on the effect of the present 7.30 p.m. cut on a Friday : night, he said that though the board was, fully aware of the inconvenience caused to business people and the public, no alteration in the programme -could be made at present. Suspension of Late Night? i A secticn of businessmen interviewed yesterday morning suggested that a considerable contribution co power saving could be made by the universal closing of shops on Friday nights while the emergency existed. They suggested that shops open half an hour earlier on week days, making the day from 8 a.rii. ' till 5 p.m. A further suggestion was made that as the hours of daylight reeede, shops close at 4.30 p.m., and in mid- winter the time of closing be made 4 p.m. By adhering to these hours, they maintained a considerable saving eould be effected. With • the approach- of winter, household oower consumption would be almost" doubled, and there was little point in business premises adding to the worries of the power authorities.