POLITE REJECTION OF OFFER BY MR. HOLLAND

Chronicle (Levin), 22 March 1947, Page 3

POLITE REJECTION OF OFFER BY MR. HOLLAND

-Press Association

COMMITTEE IS UNNECESSARY SAYS MR. SULLIVAN

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, March 21. An assurance that restrictions on the use of electric power would be repealed innnediately the supply position permitted was given by the Minister of Supplv (Hon. D. G. Sullivau) in a telegram sent today to the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. S. G. Holland) in reply to his suggestion that a conferenee o± members representative of both parties in Parliament should be convened to consider the situation that had arisen over the supply of electricity. After expressing appreciatioii of Mr. Holland ;s suggestion the Minister mentioned that before the rcceipt of Mr. Holland 's telegram regulations had been passed requiring the supply authorities to reduce consumptiori by 26 per cent, the method to be. determined by the supply authorities themselves with the proviso that if they were unable to effect the necessary "reduetion by other means thev must reduce the power used in tliermal hot water services. - The Government, added Mr. Sullivau, regretted the necessity for the passing of these regulations which, of eourse, were of a temporary nature. - In the meantime the steps which had been taken would enable the supply authorities to effect the reduetions most suit-

able in their own areas and would, he trust ed, ensure the eonservation ot available power for the most essential purposes. To further assist the position the Government had also' taken steps to reduce consumption by.Turther limiting the radio broadcastihg services aua* stfeet lighting. ; . J-.- -J "In the circuinstancesptherefore, and' in view of thc fact that the new regulations are already in operation and the publie are aware of the position, the setting up of the committee you suggest does not appear ,to. .-be neeessary ai present, ' ' said Mr. , ..Sullivan-. ' 1 The present temporary shoxtage of power is due to drought conditions in the hydroelectrie water storage areas superimposed upon unavoidable delay in the' completion • of the new power stations which has been entirely due to the impossibility of obtaining earlier deliveries of' machinery and eqnipment from overseas. We are expediting by every means in our power the completion of additional generating plants at Karapiro and Waikaremoana and we anticipate that these will be partially in operation within two months and completed by the end of this year."