Electricity Demand Soars

Chronicle (Levin), 14 December 1946, Page 5

Electricity Demand Soars

Press Assn.-

many go breakfastless

By TeLegravh.

■Covyright

Eeceived Rriday, 10.15 p.m. SYDNEY, Dee. 1-3. Nearly 300,000 people in the eastem suburbs and other parts of Sydney were deprived simnltaneously today of gas and electricity for varying periods, as a result of the gas strike and consequent abnormal demand for alternative power. By a State executive couneil deeision today gas rationing had been tinied to start at midnight but gas company officials Avarn that with volunteer labour, a continuity of supply eannot be guaranteed. In seven densely populated suburbs gas and electricity failed simultaneously and seores of tbousands of Sydney workers went breakfastless to wrork. Yolunteor labour, including members of tbe clerical stal'fs of tlie gaswrorks, continue to bgbt to keep tbe gas pressure up but tbe good-humoured Imnter excbanged betYveen them and tbe strikers is diminisbing. AVheii a collier bertbed at Manly with 500 tons of eoal, tbe strikers massed at tbe wharf to prevent tbe volunteers liandling the cargo- and this afternoon tbe vessel put to sea again. Owing to intervention by tbe Seamon's Union no further nnloading will be attempted.