STATE TAKES OVER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22210, 21 December 1946, Page 3

STATE TAKES OVER

SYDNEY GAS PLANTS WORKERS TO RESUME COURT TO HEAR CLAIMS (10 a.m.) . SYDNEY, Dec. 21. The New South Wales Government has appointed an administrator to take over control of the two strike-bound Sydney gas company plants to ensure adequate gas supplies for the public. The strikers will resume on prestrike conditions and have their claims determined by the Arbitration Court. The Government's decision followed several conferences between the Premier, Mr. W. J. McKell. Cabinet Ministers, and representatives of the gas companies and trade unions. The gas supply to 300.000 homes in Sydney served by the Australian Gas -yd Light Company was cut off yesterday. Complete public disregard of gas restrictions, due to fear of the complete failure of the supply, created such abnormal usage that the company’s gas stocks quickly fell to the minimum safe level, threatening an explosion in the mains unless action was taken. Gas production has virtually ceased at Mortlake, but is continuing at the North Shore and Manly works. A deputation from the New South Wales Labour Council yesterday interviewed the Premier. Mr. W. J. McKell, and‘asked the State Government to take over the gasworks and operate them with union labour pending a settlement of the gas strike. The combined ex-servicemen’s associations have made an appeal to the Federal and State Governments and to unions in the dispute to maintain supplies over Christmas. “We feel wo would be failing in our duly and responsibility to the men who gave their lives for Australia to let this position continue without a protest," concludes the aopeal.