GASWORKS STRIKE

Grey River Argus, 17 August 1937, Page 5

GASWORKS STRIKE

MELBOURNE PROBLEM Government’s Quandary [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] MELBOURNE, August 16. More than seven hundred workers at the West. Melbourne and South Melbourne Gasworks continued the stav-in strike over the week-end. An important development was the decision of the Road Transport. Workers’ Union to make “common cause” with Ihe gas workers, and to refuse to handle coal or oil for either Works. (Received August 16, 9.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE, August 16. 'rhe stay-in strikers at the gasworks are preserving a self-imposed discipline, which is evoking public admiration. A man may not go to the gates to embrace his wife or children, or accept the delivery of a hot dinner or a clean shirt without obtaining the permission of a Committeeman. There has been no gas whatever in some of the suburban homes yesterday and to-day, and only a pale weak flame was allowed in the early hours for breakfast.

No attempt is being made by the strikers to molest or hamper the emagency staff, who arc generating a very small supply of gas, under trying conditions. The strike is most embarrassing to the Dunstan Government, who, although they have powers to force the hands of the Companies to maintain adequate supplies, or to pay punitive fines, are barred by political reasons from proclaiming a gas emergency. The Premier, Hon. Mr. Dunstan, who is at the mercy of the Labour Party for his majority, is quite unable to take drastic action' to relieve the situation. *