GRAVE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 15 June 1920, Page 5

GRAVE

STRIKE SITUATION IN MELBOURNE CITY ALMOST IX DARKNESS (Ry Electric Tclegraph~-C(U>yrigm;. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association) MELBOURNE, June H. The city is in almost total darkness. Flares are being usftcl at the railway stations and hurricane lamps in public buildings, Cdrigregations in the churches yesterday were exhorted from the pulpits to bring their own lights. A limited supply of electricity was available, but not sufficient to enable factories to carry on. Volunteer .workers at the gasworks are engaged in getting up a supply'. Coal and coke at the gasworks have been declared “black’’ and may not be removed. The trouble may extend to the trams, as owing to the employment of a- non-UR-onist driver on one service, men threaten to cease work. It is also probable the wharf labourers will refuse to handle coal for the gasworks. The electric tram services are suspended. Thousands of people had to walk to work. The great fear at present is for the sewerage if the engineers of this service carry a threat into execution and cease work. The dismal outlook is made worse by the fuel shortage and the steady rain which set in yesterday.

INDUSTRY PARALYSED (By Electric Telograpti—Copyright). (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association) (llec. 11.10 a.m.) MELBOURNE,. This Day. It is estimated that twelve thousand workers are idle through the strike. Industry is paralysed. Seven hundred volunteers enrolled at the bureau, including professional men and engineering students at; the university. The employee.s' representatives conferred with the ' Premier, who later met Cabinet, but made no statement to the public. IN SYDNEY SYDNEY, June 14. Dark clouds are looming on the industrial horizon and --anything may 1 happen in the next day or two owing to Melbourne coal being declared “black” ; but union officials aye doing their best to prevent a catastrophe. SYDNEY OUTLOOK BRIGHTER (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright)'. (Australian & N.Z. Cab hi Association). (Ree. 11.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The. gas employees met the companies and the- conference agreed on the main points at issue. The union resents the suggestion and scouts the possibility of Melbourne’s dispute extending to Sydney.