ELECTRICAL SUPPLY

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20914, 20 September 1939, Page 9

ELECTRICAL SUPPLY

GUARDING VITAL POINTS RISK OF SABOTAGE OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS In organising for national safety, the Government decided following the outbreak of war to place the control of the whole of the electricity production and distribution within the Dominion, for the time being, under the jurisdiction of an Electricity Controller, Mr F. T. M. Kissell. Information regarding these measures was received today by the Central Waikato Electric Power Board. No new construction work is to be undertaken unless first approved and authorised by the Controller. It might be necessary in the near future to order some cessations of work, as conservation of stocks in the Dominion is imperative. No material on hand or on order and suitable for the production and distribution of electricity is to be issued or sold without the prior consent of the Controller, save in order that no immediate Cessation of normal employment may ensure. This instruction does not apply to maintenance work, or work that could be completed within two weeks from the outbreak of war. So that employees not be dismissed the Controller suggested that men might be employed on maintenance work which might be in arrears at the present time. Power Board’s Responsibilities Each electric power authority is individually responsible for providinig protection, which is now considered by the Controller to be necessary to guard against possible risk of sabotage to its own generating plants or substations. In co-operation with the precautions being taken by the Government to protect vital points, employees of the Central Waikato Electric Power Board have been directed that unauthorised persons must not b 6 allowed to loiter on the board’s premises, and through their duties employees are expected to do all in their power to guard the interests of the board and its consumers. “It appears as if these measures are chiefiy for the conservation of stocks which may be required for military purposes,” said Mr J. R. Ellis, in his report to the meeting. A schedule of electrical materials which the board has on hand has been supplied to the Controller as requested. The board decided, on the recommendation of the finance committee, to co-operate with the Government in any way it was thought advisable, during the war.