Greek Rising Feared Over Food Situation

Northern Advocate, 4 September 1945, Page 5

Greek Rising Feared Over Food Situation

LONDON, September 3. The Vice-Premier of Greece and Minister for Supplies (Professor Kyri acos Varvaressos) has resigned as a result of wholesale and organised resistance to his financial measures. The Prime Minister (Admiral Voulgaris) has announced that Britain and America have asked Greece to postpone the departure of the Greek delegation under the Foreign Minister (M. Politis) for London until after, the return of the Regent (Archbishop Bamaskinos). “We are on the eve of a popular rising due to the tragic food situation,'’ stated a proclamation issued by the Greek trades union organisation at present under non-Communist leadership. The proclamation added that unless steps were taken to lower the cost of living the organisation would be obliged to mobilise the workers. It blamed the Supply Minister (M. Varvaressos) for strikes, minimum wages, the black market and speculators. Subsequently it was announced that an agreement had been reached between the Government and manufacturers and wholesalers under which all existing stocks of manufactured goods were being handed over to the State for distribution under a rationing system. The State is not paying owners in cash, but in raw materials of equal value, plus cost of production. .