Old news from Armidale and New England

Friday 27 January 1950, The Sydney Morning Herald

Sequel To Strike

Power blackouts are likely in many country towns because the strikebound Shell Company has had to stop all deliveries of diesel oil and petrol.

Ninety per cent of country power-stations depend entirely on the company for their supplies of diesel fuel.

Ploughing in some country districts may also be affected by a shortage of power kerosene.

All deliveries of petroleum products by the company stopped at noon yesterday, as a result of a strike by members of the Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen’s Association at the Clyde refinery] and Gore Bay ocean terminal.

Oil industry authorities said last night that other companies would not have the transport or storage facilities to serve Shell customers in the country.

The New England County Council has 5,000 gallons of diesel oil in stock. This will be exhausted in two weeks.

Armidale, Uralla, and Walcha will then be blacked out unless new supplies reach Armidale.

NOT IMMEDIATE

The N.S.W. manager of the Shell Company of Australia Ltd., Mr. Douglas Fell, said last night that a shortage of chemical solvents would affect production in some city factories.

Factory managers said yesterday that the stoppage of Shell deliveries would not immediately affect production in their plants. Many factories have large stocks of fuel oil and petrol.