FUEL POSITION GRIM

Chronicle (Levin), 9 July 1948, Page 5

FUEL POSITION GRIM

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter

Thousands In Berlin Will Be Out Of Work

. Covyriaht)

Received Friday, 10.20 a.m. LONDON, July 8. Power cuts imposed on the Western Sectors of Berlin are the cause of a fuel shortage whioh will throw hundreds of thousands of Germans out of. work Although an Ameriean official has denied that the coai flights are ending the fuel position in Berlin is grim because of the Russian blockade. The Western commanders have asked for more planes to strengthen the air bridge. Major-General Herbert, cornmaridant of the British Sector, said the airfields were not saturated an'fi ; many more flying boats could be !. handled if they were available. The air lift, which was primariiy for food, ha'd not' come quite up to expectations, largely because of bad weather. The three Western Military Governments of Berlin have a,nnouneed further electricity cuts in the Western Sectors and the complete closing of Berlin's electric elevated raiiway from midnight tomorrow. The raiiway has its headquarters in the Soviet Sector an'd is nominaliy under Russian control. Tne Soviet-licensed German news agency stated that the raiiway will continue running despite the Western Allies' ban. It, added that the Berlin raiiway a'dministration, which controls the rail^ways, was not under orders from the Ameriean Military Government. The electricity cuts are expected to reduce by one-third the coal used for electricity in the Western! Sectors. - j