AUSTRALIA READY

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21604, 15 December 1941, Page 6

AUSTRALIA READY

SHELTERS TO BE BUILT i United Pre«s Assn.— Eiec. Tel. Copyrignt) (Received Dec. 15. 3.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 15 The New South Wales Government has decided that air raid shelters must be provided without delay in all buildings where more than 30 persons work or live. The removal of patients from hospitals in Sydney will begin this week. About three-quarters of the patients will be moved, some to homes and others to hospitals in other parts of the State. This will make beds available if their should be an air raid.

The Federal Government has asked the States not to impose a full blackout yet, but to be ready for one. The digging of trench shelters in parfcs and vacant allotments will begin today. The first complete blackout in Australia was enforced last night along a strip of the Victorian coast. This area includes some popular seaside resorts. The blackout will continue indefinitely. Petrol Ration Reduced

A 20 per cent reduction in the current petrol ration for private and business cars and a cut of at least 10 per cent in the allowance for industrial vehicles was announced by the Minister of Supply, Mr Beasley. The cuts will operate from February. It is expected that the allowance after February will be approximately as follows: Cars of 8 to 10 h.p. will get four gallons for December and January and three gallons for two months from February 1. For vehicles of 12 •to 14 h.p. the ration is six and five gallons for the same period; 20 h.p., eight and six gallons; 30 h.p. 10 and eight gallons. More than 30 h.p., 12 and nine gallons.