MILK SUPPLY MAY FAIL IN SYDNEY

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5287, 27 December 1946, Page 5

MILK SUPPLY MAY FAIL IN SYDNEY

(Press Assn-

COMPENSATION SOUGHT PRODUCTION OF GAS STILL RESTRICTED

—Rec. 9.30 p.m.)

SYDNEY, Dec. 26. ■ According to union leaders, Sydney is almost certain to be without gas or milk immediately p- ier the New Year holidays. (his workers are still demanding higher pay and shift rates which the gas companies cannot legally grant. A general meeting of gas employees will tak-e place in Melbourne to-moiTOw and might order the suspension of Sydney gas supplies. The position is obscure as last Friday the Government used emergency powers to take over the Sydney gasworks, i nd the gas workers at a mass meeting on Saturday voted for a return t. work en undisclosed terms. Volunteers are still produeing a 1 estricted supply of gas in Melbourne nnd Adelaide. Despite the reluctance and opposition of a large section of its membership, the Milk Zone Dairyrnen's Council seems to be determined to cut off supplies to Sydney and Newcastle unless payments and drought compensations are adjusted. The Master Butchers' Association . is meeting- opposition to its pronosal to close all shops in Sydney and Xewcastle on January 6, but it is proceeding with the plan. The butchers .v.aintain that the ceiling- prices are --•! adjusted that they find it impossible to trade at a profit. Quiet Christmas Christmas Eve was celebrated ouietly in Sydney. It was marked mainly by a reeo-rd exit of holidaymakers to seaside and other resorts. ihe city was crowded by last-minute hoppers. The day was warm and sultry, and hotel trade was espeeially 1'iisk. Many lrotels sold out' of beer : er'ore closing- time. To the usual cheerful Christmas H-'eling was added the hearteningr cuvs that there will be no hold up oi' milk in Sydney during the holioay period. A decisic-n to carry on was made by the Milk Zone Dairymen's Council. Next week, however, :■ meeting of the exeeutive of the council will discuss "how best to seeure justice for the dairy farmers." All danger of a New Year transport tie-up has also disappeared. The land transport group of unions reTised to endorse the proposal for a complete stoppage to enforce the demands^of tramwaymen for improved onditions. The Prime Minister, Mr. Chifley, i>) a Christmas message to Australia ns, said the use of direct action in ndustrial disputes could lead only to fhaos. 'He appealed to unio-nists to i case taking- action which imiiosed and he asked employers to take a great hardship on the community, •reater personal interest in the claims submitted to the Courts.