STRIKE AFTERMATH

Evening Star, Issue 25672, 21 December 1945, Page 5

STRIKE AFTERMATH

COAL STOCKS INADEQUATE HEAVY UNEMPLOYMENT THROUGH JANUARY (Rec. 11.35 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 21. Although more coal is likely to be produced this week than was originally estimated, the industrial authorities fear that, because of lack of stocks, unemployment in New South Wales will be very great until the end of January at the earliest. The coalminers begin thoir Christmas holidays this afternoon and will not return until January 7. By then it is believed that coal stocks will bo exhausted. It is estimated that more than 500,000 persons lost their jobs when the coal strike forced the authorities to place drastic restrictions on the use of electricity and gas. Industrial leaders said it was difficult to see how the restrictions on industry could be lifted with prudence before about January 21. The State Government hopes that some of the most irksome domestic restrictions on the use or light and power may be modified soon, but a coal expert said there was no ground for optimism about the prospects. The minimum target of 150,000 tons fixed by the coal authorities as this week’s production is likely to be greatly exceeded. Miners’ Federation officials now estimate production to be between 175,000 and 180,000 tons.