WHY WAS CUT NOT MADE BEFORE BY-ELECTION?

Chronicle (Levin), 31 May 1947, Page 5

WHY WAS CUT NOT MADE BEFORE BY-ELECTION?

CHRISTCHURCH, May 30. "The announcement of the 20 per cent. cut in electricity corisumption in the South Island is just oue more confession of failure of the Socialist planners to provide for the legitimate needs' of the people, and it is significant that the announcement of these restrictions was held up until after the Avon byelfcction," said the Leader of the Opp'ositiop (Mr. Holland) tonight. "It. has been patent to everyone that restrio tions were coming, and had some slight restrictions been iniposed some weeks ago when they would have been iess burdensome there would not have been need for so drastic a restrietion as 20 : per cent. "This latest restrietion brings home to the people the overwhelming need ] t'or the provision of auxiliary plants. i rhe Opposition has been hammering ]

away to get the Government to order oil-fuelled generating plant as it is obvious that the present crisis in both the Nortli and South Islands can continue for years to come should like weather jvhich vve mig'ht expect at any time be experienced. • We are ganibling on the weather from day to .day and we have 110 major scheme due for completion for some years to come. "The Minister has refused to budge, p referring to gamble on the weather. The gamble has been lost and the public has to suffer. Other countries have been able to obtain auxiliary generating plant and if other countries can seeure plant so should New Zealand. We hear a great deal about the ten-veav plans, but what people would prefer is a little practical planning in the supply of electricity for the present and not so, much talk about planning for the next 10 years."