CITY WITHOUT GAS

Evening Star, Issue 25470, 28 April 1945, Page 6

CITY WITHOUT GAS

AUCKLAND'S PLIGHT STRIKERS OBDURATE ANGRY PUBLIC DEMANDING ACTION (P.A.) AUCKLAND, April 27. Efforts to settle the strike of the Auckland gasworks retort house workers faded to-day. Proposals were placed before the men, but were declined. There was no gas in tho city after 11 a.m. The Acting Minister of Labour (Hon. J. O'Brien), who is visiting Auckland, opened negotiations with the men, and met their representatives this morning. He told them that if the men would return to work he would have their case investigated.^ The strikers' representatives conveved the result of their interview with the Minister to a conference of the men in the afternoon. The secretary of the Auckland Trades Council (Mr W. Ashton) was present. A discussion lasting from 3 p.m. to about 4'.45 took place, but the proposals were not accepted. The Minister was later advised thai the men would not return to work but would continue their discussion at 10 a.m. to-morrow.

The general manager of the Auckland Gas Company (Mr. R. Worley) said to-night that the holders were empty. The works staff was endeavouring to keep the retort house fires alight, but the

heat had gone down considerably. There could be no supply of gas to the public until at least a day and a-half after the men resumed.

An indication of the public feeling was given to the company when it received hundreds of telephone calls. Mr Worley said the public was incensed, arid many had recommended that drastic action should, he taken against the men. Two or three organisations had also sought a ruling on the legal position resulting from the men's action.

Tho mayor (Mr J. A. C. Alluni) also received many representations from citizens, and he communicated with Mr Nash to point out the plight in which Auckland, gas consumers had been, placed. He was advised that the matter was being handled by Mr O'Brien.

" These strikers are causing untold hardship to people with whom they have no quarrel," said Mr Allum. ".| cannot find any excuse for their action, and ordinary citizens are incensed over It.".