GOVERNMENT ASKED TO TAKE WORKS OVER

Chronicle (Levin), 21 December 1946, Page 5

GOVERNMENT ASKED TO TAKE WORKS OVER

Press Assn.

By Telegraph

-Co oyi'ight

Received Friday, 8.45 p.m. SYDNEY, Dec. 20. The gas supply to -300,000 homes in Sydney served by the Australian (las and ihght Liglit Company, Yvas cut oft' today. Complete pnhlie disregard of the gas restrictions due to fear of a complete supplv failure, ereated snch abnormal usage that the contpanys.r gas stochb quickly fell to the minimum safe level, threatening an explosion in the mains unless action was taken. (Jas production htts virtually ceased at Mortlake but is contimv ing at North Sho.re and iManly works, A deputation from the New South \Yales Labour Counejl today interviewed the Premier, Mr. McKell, and asked the State Cfovernrnent to take over the gasworks and operate them with union labour pending a settlenient of the gas strike. Mr. AIcKell cancelled his offieial visit to National Park planned for this afternoon and said he might make a statement later today. The strikers have been told by the union leaders that there is no immediate ch'ance of a settlenient. The combined exservicemen's associations have made an ap]>eal to the Federal and State Governments and to the unions in the dispute, to maintain supplics over Christmas. "We feel we would be I'ailing in our duty and responsibility to the men who gave their lives for Australia to let this position continne without a protest," concludes the appeal.