GERMANS DEMONSTRATE

Chronicle (Levin), 11 June 1949, Page 5

GERMANS DEMONSTRATE

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter.

Protest At Dismantling Of - Oil Plants

. Covyritfht)

Received Fridav, 8.1 o p.m. LONDON, June 10. Twenty-thousand persons demonstrated yesterday in pouring rain against tlie dismantling of the synthetie oil plant in Wanne Eickel, West Germany. A trade union leader said unempJoyment in Wanne Eickel was already double that of any town in West Germany and that half the plant 's em ployees were war wounded casualties from the mines, and women, who would all lose their employment. A Foreign Office statenient said that the suggestion that large-seale unemployment would follow the dismantling of German oil plants, was without foundation. The statenient added that the German synthetie oil industrv was built up for strategic reaions only. it had never played any part in normai German economy, having only attained its full development during the war years. The industrv, since 1945, had been at a standstill. "It is of the utmost importance that the Allies should explain to the protestin.g German people, the reasons for the dismantling of plants in Germany," savs The Times in an editorial. "Few people, even in Germany itself, woulo deny if the destruction of some specialised industrial plant could reduce the risk of war, it would iie justihed, even though it caused an innnediate economie loss." The works eouncils of 11 Rulir svnthetic plants liave until midnight on Sunday to withdraw opposition to the British dismantling orders otherwise they will be closed. Major-General W. II. Bishop, regional Commissioner for North RhineWestphalia. said today that he did not , wish to close the works but the military Governinent could not tolerate the challenge oil'ered by tiie ret'usal to obey dismantling orders. The "Dennan authorities said that generally the works managements oi the affected plants and trade union eouncils wanted to stop dismantling by legal measuros, but strikes and other tactics were being advocated in n'ants where Commuuists were in the majority on the works eouncils. Benior British and Ameriean officials in Frankfurt today refused to accept a letter from the Ghristian Bemocrats, Hocial Demoei'ats and Liberal groups on the Bizonal Iv'onomie Gouneil asKing that dismantling be discontinued.