CHAOS SPREADING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26485, 12 June 1947, Page 5

CHAOS SPREADING

FRENCH RAILWAY STRIKE INDUSTRY DISORGANISED PARIS, June 10. Although complete evalution of the effect of the railway strike cannot yet be given, the few facts which have reached Paris are alarming. Eight blast furnaces in the Nancy area are not working, the northern coal mines are seriously short of trucks, and large quantities of perishable food are rotting at the wharves for lack of trucks. New and uglier developments are indicated in reports from various centres that the railwaymen are refusing It is impossible to say how many power station workers are out for going slow, because the men’s union disclaims all responsibility for the strike, but the movement is spreading hourly. The number of British and American tourists stranded in Paris to-day totalled more than 2000. The emergency lorry and bus fleet cannot meet half the requirements. M. Ramadier told the National Assembly that the Government, under threats, had refused to accept full responsibility for maintaining authority “We shall go through to the end and do our duty, however painful, but we shall not cease to appeal to the good sense-of the working class,” he added. “We have ensured maximum road transport. So far the railways have assured food supplies for Paris, but ir. a few days supplies may break down. Railway trucks are accumulating in the yards, and the coal position of many factories is becoming acute. It is essential for the country to get back to work.” M. Ramadier said the strike dealt a terrible wound to the stability of France.