Sanitary Holdup Menaces Brisbane

Chronicle (Levin), 8 January 1949, Page 5

Sanitary Holdup Menaces Brisbane

Received Fridav, 7.30 p.m. BRISBANE, Jan. 7. A state of extreme einergency ha^been declared by "the Lord Ma.vor oi' Brisbane as a result of the breakdown of the city's garbage and sanitary serviees. , The trouble was caused by a union demand for a wage increase of fl weekly, improved conditions, including transport to and from work. Some parts of the citv Jiave now been without services for mere than a fortnight, and residents are burying offend ing matter. Sixty pec cent. of Brisbane, whic.ii is the third city in Australia, and ha400,000 inhabitants, is unsewered. About 44,000 sanitary services, and 105,000 garbage services are required. Health authorities have issued a grave warning that, unless the sanitary services are restored, Brisbane faces the ilanger of an epidemic. Oiifi doc.tor said: "Such a breakdown

.n a city of the size of Brisbane must oe viewed with the greatest alarm. It •ihe sanitary matter is not disposed oi adequately, Brisbane will slip back 10o years, and will have sueh diseases as typhoid, para-typhoid, dysentery and gastro-enteritis. The Aeting-Premier of Queenslancl has called a special meet'ing of tlie State Cabinet, and the City Council lias determined on a plan, as yet undisclosed, to alleivate the position. . When the nb\v contra'ctOh took' oVei'!l the services, shortly before the New Year, the men made the demands, and when these were refused, only 12i offered to work. These were threatened, and some. were assaulted by thci. former workmates. The strikers have refused to return to work and refer the matter to Arbitration.