INDUSTRIAL TURMOIL IN N.S.W.

Chronicle (Levin), 21 June 1949, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL TURMOIL IN N.S.W.

Drastic Orders Follow Threat Of Coal Strike A. Thousands Facing Unemployment Received Tuesday, 10,45 a.m, SYDNEY, June 21. By midnight tonight industrial production in New South Wales. will be virtually at a standstill. With coal stocks almost exhausted and no electricity or gas available, the only factories able to carry on limited production will be those with auxiliary plants. Employers estimate that 230,000 men and women will be out of work before the beginning of next week and that if a general coal strike begins next week 450,000 people will be unemployed.

After a Cabinet meeting the Ministers said that they were unanimous in their decision to support the Commonwealth Government in strong action against the miners. Labour back-benchers said that when the coal crisis came before a meeting of the full Parliamentary Party tomorrow they would urge the Government to stand against the Miners' Federation. The attitude of the State and Federal Governments has been clearly defined by a statement issued jointly by the Prime Minister, Mr. Chifley, and the New South Wales Premier, Mr. McGirr, that no threats of strike would influence Government policy, which was that the dispute must be settled by .arbitration only. Gas and power regulations providing a penalty of £500 for breachps and an additional £10 daily for continuing offences have been gazetted. The New South Wales Cabinet today completely banned the use of power for industry and intro-

duced a drastic ®rationing of electricity and gas in homes. The use of power is completely banned except for the manufacture. processing or refrigeration of foLCtsi.'jffs. No light will be available for shops, comniercial purposes, places of entertainment or outdoor illuminations. Hot water systems and bath heaters will be prohib':ted but water may be boiled in six pint containers during permitted times. Gas manufactured by the Australian Ctas and Light, Company, which supplies 320,000 homes and over 1,000,000 people, failed this morning and there will be no reoumption of the service until midnight tomorrow. The North Shore Gas Company which serves 60 000 hcmes and 200,000 people, advises that gas will be available for two short periods totalling three hours daily, with probable pressure failures. Employers in Sydney have already notified 100,000 employees that they will not be required tomorrow.