Industrial Crisis in Australia

Chronicle (Levin), 27 June 1946, Page 5

Industrial Crisis in Australia

Press Assn.

DRASTIC POWER RESTRICTIONS

By Telegraph

-Copyright

SYDNEY, June 26. An Australian indijstrial crisis is gradualy developing as it becoimes apparenk that strikes are defeating any effiort to avert stop-, pages by festricting power. Tonigh't, Queensland will declare a state of emergency, and drastic restrictions on the use- of electricity and gas will cohie in-to effect. The eomplete cessation of Quensland industries, other than those engaged in the proccgsing of foodstuffs, may result. Under a' proclamation, all electric lighting and power will be prohibited in factories, stores, eafes, restaurants, banks, and offices, exccpit in those factories engaged in the processing and preservation of foodstuffs. Tram serviecs will be cut by half, and tliere will be no trams at night after 7.30 o'eloek. A large section of Vietorian industry is closing today because of the .coal shortage. Clotliing mills have so far paid off 1000 employees, and many more will be idle today. Melbourne, whieh has had strict power rationing for some weeks, has received relieO from gas rationing. Two suggestions in Sydney offer long-term solntions to the problcm. Senator Ashley (Minister of Supply) suggests shifting the city power points to the coalfie'lds so that they need not be dependent 011 supply by rail and sea. Thc Minister of Mines (Mr Baddeley) has announced plans to produce 3,500,000 tons of coal a year 'from new State-owned mines. The first. gronp of tlicse mines, situated 20 miles from Newcastlc and 85 from Sydn.ey, is expeeted to start prodficing iiy Christmas. They will be fully mechanised.