WELLINGTON’S SUPPLIES

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26363, 6 March 1951, Page 6

WELLINGTON’S SUPPLIES

AIRMEN WORK FULL DAS* MORE FLOUR AND TEA UNLOADED (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 5. ‘I am satisfied that the people of Wellington are in a better way than we might have expected; everyone has been moat co-operative, that is, everyone except those who are not working,” said the Mayor (Mr R L. MacAlister), who is also chairman of the emergehey supplies committee, toAir Force men to-day, working a fun day for the first time, did the first loading tor Britain that has been undertaken in Wellington since the strike became effective. They worked particularly rapidly in loading the Imperial Star with cheese. There were 230 men engaged to-day. The full cargo of cheese Is 21,000 crates, to be loaded into two of the Imperial Star’s holds. Flour was unloaded from the Waitaki, and a start was made on the Wairimu, with a heavy cargo of tea. Wellington's flour difficulties for the next fortnight appear to be solved. Lorries owned by private carriers streamed from the store shed at Pipitea wharf laden with flour. “It looks as if the flour situation is not going to be as bad as was expected a few days ago,” said Mr MacAlister. “There is 1000 tons in the Calm, and this supply for distribution to outside areas As well as Wellington should give sufficient flour for the bakers for the next fortnight." Mr MacAUster said that he had no further statement about meat He would have a report on it soon. ClUaens* Offers “Offen of help are beginning to come in from citizens,” he added. “I will have something interesting to say about The offer of women drivers soon. “The gas position is likely to become very serious soon. The coal is here, and it can be taken to the retorts easily, if the men will work it." Hutt Valley people have their industries to thank for a momentary reprieve in the gas crisis. The secretary of the Petone and Lower Hutt Gas Board (Mr C. N. Aatbury) said tonight: “We have done pretty well today because the industries co-operated. If they had not we would have had no gas to-day. We have had the men scraping the yards for two days. With a bit of luck we will last out tomorrow.”

Wellington is in a similar plight. Mr M. J. Kennedy, secretary of the Wellington Gas Company, said that there was enough coal, with normal consumption, to last through to-morrow Hight.