Seamen's Coal Blockade Of Victoria In Operation

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 November 1948, Page 5

Seamen's Coal Blockade Of Victoria In Operation

Heavy Rationing Of Gas Has Been Made Necessary (N. Z. P. A. —Copyright. i MELBOURNE, Nov. 26 (Rec. 6 pm).—The State Government has decided upon heavy rationing of gas as from midnight tonight, including complete cancellation of gas supplies to industry.

It is believed that gas supplies will be exhausted by midnight on Monday, unless colliers at rive and are unloaded before then.

The decisions have been made as the result of the. seamen’s blockade of Victoria, which is the only serious development in the struggle between the unions and the Government over the serving of summonses under the recently proclaimed Essential Services Act.

The Premier (Mr Hollway) refuses to negotiate to settle the dispute until the shipping ban Is removed. He states that he wants an assurance that lightning strike tactics will not be repeated.

"Negotiations have deteriorated,’’ said Mr. Hollway, early today after further talks With Trade Union leaders and the Cabinet. "Union leaders can give no guarantee of industrial peace for any length of time and tugboat men have refused to move colliers. So far no real light has emerged. The Government is anxious that the community should suffer as little as possibje but should all attempts to provide an honourable and lasting peace fail, it calls on the people to support it in any action it may take.” Electricity rationing and train service cuts are likely next week. The watersiders, building workers, ships dockers, and painters are not working on Monday. They are planning a monster demonstration outside the Court wherein the summonsed union leaders will appear.