SYDNEY TRAIN SERVICES

Chronicle (Levin), 28 August 1946, Page 5

SYDNEY TRAIN SERVICES

Press Assn.

Restrictions Partially Lifted COAL SHORTAGE EFFECTS

By Telegraph

-Copyright

Received Wednesday, 11.15 a.m. SYDNEY, Aug. 27. After three months of transport restrictions due to coal shortages normal train services are to be restored on Friday, and from Monday off-peak train services to suburbs will be half hourly instead of hourly as at present. In announcing the partial lifting of restrictions, the Minister of Transport, Mr. O'Sullivan, said that country trains would be restored as soon as coal stocks permitted. The railways now hold coal equal to a week's consumption; meanwhile convoys of motor lorries are bringing wool from country centres to Sydney auction saies. A bill to set up a joint State Commonwealth Coal Board is now under discussion in the State Parliament. The Bill is substantially similar to one recently passed by the Federal Parliament. ' • SHIPPING DIFFICULTIES Because of the shortage of passengers ships in the Pacific, trade shipping authorities in Sydney are considering a plan to use interState or trans-Tasman vessels to take about 10C0 Australian and British people to Vancouver. If the plan is carried out, it is likely that the ship will either be the Duntroon or the Wanganella. Unless some action is taken it will be months before Americans, and others who wish to become American citizens, can leave Australia. The Monterey and the Mariposa, now re-fitting in the United States, are not expected to resume running until March at the earliest. If the Wanganella is used, further delays will be created in the establishment of transTasman passenger services.