AUSTRALIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 November 1943, Page 6

AUSTRALIA

SAVED FROM WRECK SYDNEY, November 16. Australian soldiers saved all 62 members of the crew of a 9000-ton Allied ship which ran aground in. heavy seas on the New South Wales Coast. Four of the Australians were drowned when they were washed oft the rocks. Ahe rescue was made m May, but the news has just be released. , , The ship was driven by a storm and crashed into the rocks with waves 30 ] feet high tearing away nearly all her | lifeboats and battering pieces .of the i superstructure. Two . Australian Army officers risked their lives by swimming out to a lifebuoy thrown from the ship with a line attached, and towing it ashore. The Australians, buffeted by the waves, then stood on the slippery rocks holding the rope taut so that members of the crew could slide along it in the bos un s chair. As the last rescue of the day was being attempted, a great wave swept seven soldiers out to sea. rour ot them were drowned. The ship later broke up and became a total loss. FOOD SHORTAGES. iNZFA Aperlal A n*t™ Hwn (Rec. 9.20 a.m.)~SYDNEY, Nov. 17. The increasing effect of war demands is being felt on the Australian food front. Foods liken to be in scant supply, even before die end of this year, include meat (particularly pork and poultry), eggs dried fruits, jams, preserves-, and some vegetables. Milk supplies are expected to be restricted in the New Year. A possible wheat shortage in New South Wales may lead to the introduction of a standardised loaf in this State. , Warnings of these impending food, scarcities have been given by the Commonwealth agricultural authority whose contentions are largely supported by statistical analysis of Australia’s food production ano demands upon it. A special survey oi 40 090 vegetable farms reveals that next season’s production, due to labour and material shortages, will be oelow the official target P 7 56,000 acres- -representing about one-quar-ter of Australia’s vegetable output in any pre-war year. Additional rationing m the New Year has been forecast pv the Rationing Commission Chairman (Mr. Coles). It has not been disclosed what commodities will be affected, but it has been stated officially that meat rationing to begin in January will be only part of the restrictions to be imposed. Other food items may be included.