POWER SHORTAGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 March 1941, Page 6

POWER SHORTAGE

BOMBSHELL FOR CONSUMERS CONFIDENTIAL REPORt. DISCUSSION BY WAIRARAPA BOARD. (“Times-Age" Special.) “The whole trouble is that the demand has got beyond the supply. The coal shortage has certainly aggravated the position,” stated Mr A. Campbell Pearce, chairman of the Wairarapa Power Board, when speaking at today's meeting on a special report on power restrictions submitted by the secretary-manager, Mr G. Brown, arising from a conference held at Palmerston North.

“If all plants were at full working capacity and complete supplies of coal available there would still be a deficiency of power,” said Mr Brown. “Unfortunately you can't have a steam plant going at full capacity.” “All the boards are to blame. They have been ‘pushing’ for consumers to use more power and now they can’t produce the goods.” commented Mr H. P. Hugo. Mr F. C. Daniell considered that the confidential report made by Mr Brown should be made available to the Press. Mr Brown stated that at the conference Mr Kissel, Electricity Controller, had divulged confidential information which he stipulated should not be made available to the Press.

Mr Daniell said that he considered the fault lay’ with the Government. He considered that, even if the permission of the controller had to be secured the information should be conveyed to consumers via the Press. Mr E. C. Holmes: “When the ‘juice’ is cut off it won’t be confidential.” . Mr W. A. Tate: “You’re going to throw a bombshell to the consumers very soon. The Government have always said that a shortage of power was only a myth.” Mr. J. W. Colquhoun: “What is the good of putting on more consumers?" Mr Tate: “Is it a war measure?” Mr Pearce: “Yes.” Mr Tate: “Then it’s a sacrifice we have to make.”'

Mr Holmes: “They should have told us months ago that there would be a shortage. We’ve been hooking more consumers here.”

Mr Daniell: “It’s only camouflaging the position to say it’s a war measure.” Mr Colquhoun stressed the fact that Kopuaranga settlers had had to sign guarantees recently. “What we want to do is to reduce consumption with the least possible inconvenience to the consumers, said Mr Pearce. Mr Brown read a confidential report on the conference, and submitted proposals for reducing electricity consumption in the Wairarapa. “One thing we have to be thankful for, is our system of charges,” said Mr Pearce. “If we hadn’t changed over, our position would be more serious.” LACK OF FORESIGHT. ‘lt seems to me that it shows a lamentable lack of foresight by this, the last and preceding Governments,” added Mr Pearce. Mr Holmes: "We have been left standing—by the wayside.” Mr Dalgliesh: “The shortage of coal is causing the trouble in the north?” Mr Brown: “To a certain extent yes. but even if the furnaces could be kept at full blast, it would not alter the position.” Mr Pearce: “Consumers won’t mind cutting out their water heaters if necessary.” ' ■ Members: “We agree —if it is necessary.” "Are we going to connect new consumers anywhere?” asked Mr Colquhoun. "I say it is definitely wrong if we are going to break faith and our contracts with consumers over water heating and yet give no reduction in charges and' still keep on connecting consumers.” Mr Brown stated that the country consumers’ guarantees would not be affected. Mr Colquhoun entered a strong protest against more consumers being connected. Mr Pearce: “In this country we have made no sacrifices whatsoever. This is one we will have to make.” Mr Holmes asked if the position was a national one. Mr Tate: “If the Controller of Electricity has said it is a sacrifice the North Island will have to make, then we have to make the best of it.” Mr Dalgliesh: “We are not going to get sufficient electricity this winter, are we?” Mr Brown: “That is so.” NEED OF RATIONING. Mr Dalgliesh: “Then we must ration it on business lines.” “In the country we all have heavy guarantees. In the town you ’don’t pay guarantees.” said Mr Colquhoun. Mr Booth: “We all must make sacrifices.” Mr Brown stated that if the 1,500 consumers with water heaters in the Wairarapa would be prepared to go without hot water for several hours a day it would enable those without electricity to receive it. Mr Colquhoun pointed out that the shops in Masterton were well lit at nights. Mr Brown considered that it would be inadvisable to cut out shop lighting from a financial point of view. In reply to a question by Mr Hugo, Mr Brown said that the ’board would have to face the prospect of increasing its charges. Mr Brown raised the question of supply to State houses, stating that the Government expected the board to provide power. After further discussion it was decided to adopt the report and consider the financial aspect at the next meeting of lhe board.