NO COMPULSION

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3296, 4 August 1943, Page 5

NO COMPULSION

FRIDAY NIGHT CLOSING BOARD LACKS AUTHORITY POSITION RULING IN PAEROA The question of the closing of shops between the hours of 5 p-m. and 6 p.m. on Friday nights was the subject of discussion at Tuesday’s meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board when it was decided to ask the Government to bring down regulations granting the board authority to deal with those who fail to cooperate with the board’s effort to conserve power during the period of emergency. Mr C. C. Webb (Paeroa), introduced the subject, reporting that the business people of Paeroa had agreed in response to the board’s request to close between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and the scheme had operated quite well for a while until the Self Help received advice from their head office not to close. The next Friday night other stores followed the lead of Self Help and now the whole town would have to follow, suit and so no power would be saved at the peak period. Effort by Local Authorities

The local authorities had contacted the head office of the Self Help in an endeavour to secure their co-operation but the reply had stated that the firm considered they had a duty on Friday to provide service to the general public right through without break until closing time. The manager, Mr R. Sprague, said the trouble was experienced righcthroughout the whole of the board’s area. The board lacked authority to enforce the closing and any conservation was purely voluntary. It was suggested that the board report the whole position to the Electricity Controller, pointing out the lack of co-operation in the conservation of power and urge that regula - tions be brought down so that the board could enforce conservation.

Objection To Compulsion

Mr W. C. Kennedy objected to any compulsion in closing shops. It was not right to close shops when the people were in town doing their weekend shopping’. Mr J. F. Mayn pointed out there was a good reason for the need to conserve electricity and if some would not co-operate voluntarily it would be necessary to bring in compulsion. The chairman, Mr J. Price, suggested that the board approach the head office of the firm in question appealing for their co-operation and if it was not forthcoming then the whole matter should be placed before the controller.

The chief engineer, Mr N. G. McLeod, emphasised the necessity lo conserve electricity. The present plant was producing at full capacity and if there was a breakdown the position would be really serious. On the motion of Mr We'bb it was decided to request the Government to bring down regulations so that the consumption of power be controlled during the hours of 5 p.m. and 6 p.mduring the months of May, June, July and August. This was seconded by Mr J. F. Mayn and carried.