AUSTRALIAN COAL SHORTAGE

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24912, 27 June 1946, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN COAL SHORTAGE

Victorian Factories Affected

MINES IDLE IN N.S.W. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 26. A large section of Victorian industry is closing to-day because of the coal shortage. Clothing mills have so far paid off 1000 employees, and many more will be idle to-day. Melbourne, which has had - strict power rationing for some weeks, has. received relief from gas restrictions. So far this week 750 tons of coal have been saved, by restrictions in Sydney, but stoppages in the mines, largely because of disputes. have been responsible for the loss of 14,850 tons. To-day five mines are idle for the loss of 2320 tons, this being a considerable improvement on yesterday’s figure. All the New South Wales coast mines may be idle on Monday, with a loss of 8000 tons, because of a dispute concerning the treatment of miners suffering from dust on the lungs. With coal stocks lower than ever before, the Bunnerong power-house is working on supplies as they arrive by train from the Newcastle mines. Early to-day officials feared that the plant would not be able to work throughout the day, but a train which arrived just before noon saved the situation. The Queensland waterside workers’ strike, which is in sympathy with the illegal meat strike, spread to Sydney yesterday when Brisbane cargo in two ships was declared black. Ships at Port Melbourne are affected because unionists here allege that non-union labour was used to load vessels in Brisbane. The watersiders are quite prepared to load cargo for other ports. The New South Wales Minister of Mines (Mr J. M. Baddeley) has announced plans to produce 3,500,000 tons of coal a year from new State-owned mines. The first group of these mines is situated 20 miles from Newcastle and 85 miles from Sydney.* It is expected to start producing by Christmas. The mines will all be fully mechanised.