LATER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1705, 24 March 1913, Page 7

LATER.

'' •'GOVERNMENT TAKE' ACTION. • " A GOOD STORY. . , v (R«c. March 23, 5.5 p.m:) ' Sydney, March',22. Though 'the strike is apparently no ncarcL- settlement, the situation has bpn relieved as far as tho public is.concerned.' The Labour (jovernment are stepping in as strike breakers, and running a limited emergency service, carrying passengers free, the vessels employed being the Harbour Trust steamers and launches. After ...conferring, witli both sides, and subsequent to a Cabinet meeting yesterday, Mr. Carraichael (the Minister, for Labour) submitted a proposal to tho companies that the men should resume immediately upon the terms of the existing agreement, provided the companies would instruct their representative on tho Shipping Board to concede the claims pending before the Wages Board for 48 hours a week, and that there bs no victimisation <jf any kind, all the men to bo replaced in their former positions. ' , Tho companies rejected the proposal. During the afternoon Mr. Carmicbael announced that ho had made a proposal which ho believed would be acceptable both to the companies and the men,, but. the companies turned it down without submitting a counter-proposal. Therefore, in order to meet tho urgent public necessity, the Government decided to use the wholo of the boats at its disposal on various routes.

The .first Government steamer was put on late in the afternoon, and lias since continued "to make regular,trips. As soon as those,engaged on tho scratch servicos heard of the Government's intentions, tho chargesvdropped from one shilling and sixpence to. threepence. As they run a more direct service thai that of the Government, which lands • the North Sydnoy traffic at Port Macquarie, they are st\ll receiving a fair amount of support, though competing against 'freo boats. The riqh harvest of the last couple of days has, however, been greatly curtailed. 'Ilia, malinger of the Sydney Perries states that after turning down Mr. Carmichael's proposal, the companies 6ent him a letter stating .that' they wero making their best efforts to run at least emergency services, and asking tho Government for assistance in the shape of competent men to run some of tlieir steamers anil provide protection to the men and boats which were put on. Tho Manly men relented to some extent on Saturday afternoon, and ngieed to allow two staaniors to ni.ake.eiglit trips up to seven p.m., chiefly to convenience tho residents. The concession, however, cams, too late for many excursionists to tnlte advantage of it, but proved acceptable to large numbers, of passengers who voyaged by the early boats before the strike started, and were stranded at both ends.

After knocking o(T at niprlit, tho men decided not to run the boats to-day, and it is doubtful if they will resume 011 Monday. Manly suffered more than any other place by. the strike. It attracts enormous crowds at holiday times, but at present it is aim est deserted. The uncertain action of the. .'inkers has added to the annoyance. Crowds gathered on tho wharves in hopes Hint, the .boats would he kept going, and after tedious wnitinpr were disappointed. Until the Government cut in the privnto services did a roaring trade. It is estimated that some, of the larger launches earned from .£2OO to JCHOO a day. The strikers show no 'resentment of private and Government competition, and aro even prepared to assist. A good story is tokl of some strikers who live across the hnrlxiur objecting to pay sixpence to reach their homes, nnd threatened to return to work in preference to being fleeced. Before sUrtincr the regular service, tho Government utilised the North Sydney horse ferry fir carrying pns- ? oncers, but after a few I rips the. Foramen's Union, of which

tho captain is a member, called liiin out, and the punt stopped running. Tho stoppage resulted in great inconvenience to tradesmen and private vehicles having business across the harbour. Altogether over sixty ferry steamers aro idle. The Government have thirteen vessels capable of carrying in all about thirteen hundred passengers, besides two old ferry steamers which they are hiring. At present they aro concentrating their efforts on the North Sydney and Crejnorno •traffic, but as opportunities offer tho facilities are extended. It is estimated that the strike affects nearly 100,000 residents dependent on the ferries. RUMOURS OF SYMPATHY STRIKES. (Rec. March 24, 0.25 a.m.) ■ Sydney, March 23. The Government steamers easily accommodated to-day's limited travelling public. , ! ' Easter Monday, probably tho. heaviest traffio day of the year, and tho business rush later in tho week,, will provide a much harder proposition. Various rumours of possible sympathy strikes aro current.