AUSTRALIAN GAS DISPUTE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25083, 15 January 1947, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN GAS DISPUTE

DISCUSSIONS FAIL IN MELBOURNE

DECISION TO DEMAND GENERAL STRIKE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) MELBOURNE. January 14. After all day and all night discussions the gas workers’ strike is still unsettled.

A meeting yesterday of the Federal Council of the Gas Workers’ Union decided to demand a general strike to support their claim to double pay for Sunday work. This demand was considered by the co-ordinating committee from the unions which are supporting the gas strikers, but the meeting adjourned at 1.30 a.m. without reaching a decision.

The Gas Workers’ Council will meet this morning to consider a demand from the Australasian Council of Trades Unions for an answer, “Yes” or “No” to the question of resuming work pending the hearing of the claim by the Arbitration Court.

Present indications are that the Premier of Victoria (Mr J. Cain) and his Government have withdrawn from the discussions, one suggestion being that Parliament might be summoned when Mr Cain might resign. Meanwhile, Melbourne i» still totally without gas and housewives are making shift with the best alternative means of cooking. While the main discussions in the gas strike proceed in Melbourne, the concern of Sydney companies is to prevent the illegal use of the small supply of gas remaining in the pipes. Though the Australian Gas Light Company's works at Mortlake are closed for production, a small quantity of gas is being produced there to keep the mains full. This obviates the danger of an explosive mixture of gas and air accumulating ip the pipes and it will greatly assist when tne supply is resumed. The North Shore and Manly plants are still producing, but consumers in these districts are asked to keep to rationing periods totalling two hours and a half daily. The companies report that largescale “pirating” of gas is taking place and they warn that a total cessation of supply may result.