SYDNEY BLITZ

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21924, 19 January 1946, Page 5

SYDNEY BLITZ

CITY “UTTERRUGS”

CLEAN-UP DRIVE

HOUSEWIVES’ BLOOD UP

DELIVERIES NOT RESTORED (Special Australian Correspondent.) ("10 a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. .19. Many unwelcome legacies of the war years arc being disposed of as campaign follows campaign in the streets of Sydney. The war on manners at least drew the attention of the people to the general fall in the level of courtesy and so may have a lasting effect.

The latest campaign is a blitz launched by the Lord Mayor against “litterbugs.” It is strongly supported by the Sydney Press which daily publishes pictures of cluttered alleyways and vacant sections in the metropolitan area. The authorities, however. have a more effective means of enforcing attention. In the week concluded yesterday the city council lias issued 210 summonses for alleged breaches of the city health regulations.

A publicity campaign, using posters, radio advertisements and theatre slides, is under way. An improvement in the city since the clean-up programme started 10 days ago is noticeable. Thcalre-Gcers to be Prosecuted Now, action is promised even against theatre-goers who drop litter on the footpaths, after shows and the owners of signs which are broken or unsightly. Property owners have been ordered to remove baffle walls and window protection encroaching on footpaths. Meanwhile, other phases of city life remain unsatisfactory, according to most housewives. A statement by the Minister for Labour and Industry that if zoning were abolished the price of bread might rise brought an immediate reaction from the Housewives’ Association. The housewives say they refuse to pay more than the present price.

The quality of the bread has been constantly under criticism ever since zoning was introduced. The suggested discontinuance of zoning is a direct result of dissatisfaction.

Though the milk position has temporarily improved, a sudden discontinuance or a shortening of family supplies is threatened due to a variety of reasons, ranging all the way from drought to excessive rainfall. Ice Shortage Threatened

A continuance of muggy weather, with a very high humidity, has caused a heavy demand for ice to fill essential ice-boxes in city and suburban homes. A shortage here is also threatened. It appears that zoning in these and other services is standing in the way of a permanently satisfactory supply. For some time now housewives have been agitating for the restoration of the home-delivery system

by shopkeepers. “Come and get it’’ is still the keynote of metropoitan and suburban shopping. The shortage of supplies and petrol are not accepted as excuses by angry householders who alleged that, after being freed from the obligation by legislation, the shopkeepers are loath to incur the additional expense of home delivery. Delivery of Parcels

The Retail Traders’ Association has investigated the matter and promises a bi-weekly delivery to the nearer suburbs of parcels in excess of 21b weight. This service, even if it starts within a few weeks, is only a temporary solution. Charges of black marketing in fruit, vegetables and fish are constantly made without any notable improvement.

The dumping of 400 tons of unsavoury potatoes off Sydney Heads yesterday is almost certain to provoke another outburst against bungling by the Australian Potato Committee. The official explanation, that the potatoes represented orders refused by American forces due to the end of the war and which were released too late to be fit for sale is not likely to placate housewives who were previously told that potatoes were in short supply.

Other worries are an almost complete lack of suitable accommodation for many families and shortages of clothing textiles. There is little wonder that the blood of Sydney housewives is up.