Electricity For Homes And Industry First

Chronicle (Levin), 8 March 1949, Page 6

Electricity For Homes And Industry First

AUCKLAND, March 7. Coneern lest further power cuts or enforeed economies in the use of electricity should result from the proposed extension of the electriflcation of the railways in the NortK Island announced re'cently by the Minister of Kailways, Mr. Semple, was expressed by the Auckland Electric Power Board which resolved to ask Mr. Semple, who is also in charge of the State Hydro-Electric Department, for an assurance that this would not happen. "The board refrains from malcing any comment on the respective claims of Auckland and Wellington to railway eleetrilication, that being a political issue outside its province," said a resolution which was proposed by the chairman, Mr. C. J. Lovegrove. "However, it is eoncerned with any scheme of railway electrifieation which commits the North Island power supply to the extent indicated by the Minister, particularly when eonsumers are being forced to adopt stringent economies involving considerable inconvenience, hardship and in some instances financial loss. ' ' The resolution added that notwithstanding the cost of coal- mentioned by the Minister, the board felt there should be no extension of electric railways until the nqymal demands of industry j and the home- were f ully met. ' ' The ! board does not desire to be destructivo in its criticism but feels the Minister should give the assurances indicated , and ■ thus allay the alarm now being expressed by eonsumers," the resolu- j tion coneluded. t i 1