SYDNEY GAS SUPPLY IS RESTORED

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5286, 24 December 1946, Page 5

SYDNEY GAS SUPPLY IS RESTORED

(Press Assn.-

LAST-MINUTE DISPUTE 1ELBOURNE & ADELAIDE EXPERIENCE TROUBLE

-Rec/9.90 p.m.)

SYDNEY, Dec. 23. The gas supply in Sydney was restored this morning, although p last-minute dispute between the gas workers and the companies was settled only after midnight negotiations. Early this morning it was announced that the rationing restrictions had been lifted in all suburbs, including North Shore, where it was expected earlier that the restrictions would last to-day! Last night's crisis arose out of an allegation by the union that the North Shore Gas Company was retarding production. Conferences between the Govemment adipinistrator, the managements of the companies, and the gas workers' digputes committee continued for most of the night. The whole of the representations made by the union were investigated and a full supply of gas aehieved over the whole metropolitan area. O'pposing Arguments Unionists are still investigating the allegations against the companies. . Company officials are of opinion that the charges relate to necessary delays in resuming supply. They claim that to release gas last night would have led to a threa?t of explosions in the mains. The union disputes eommittee maintains, however, that the companies' programme was- inadequate and that with proper organisation the gas supply could have been restored yestcrday afternoon. In Melbourne the the British Medical Assoeiation warns that there may be loss of life if Melbourne's gas supply fails. Piekets are posted outside the Melbourne gasworks and are aibwing unionists to maintain a limih d supply of gas. The employers appcaled to the men to return to work on Tuesday, but so far no reply has been received. Adelaide will ' probably be without coal for Christmas, as a meeting of unionists rejeeted by 175 votes to 113 icrms of settlement agreed unon beiween the union and the gas company.