STATE STEPS IN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 65, 25 March 1913, Page 5

STATE STEPS IN.

SYDNEY FERRY STRIKE.

OVER 100,000 PEOPLE AFFECTED.

I (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Sydney, March 23.

I Though the strike is apparently no nearer settlement, the situation is relieved so far as the public is concerned, the Labour Government stepping in as strike-breakers, and running a limited emergency service, carrying passengers free. 'The vessels employed are the.Harbour Trust steamers and launches.

As soon as those engaged in the scratch services heard of the Government's intention their charges dropped from Is 6d to 3d, as the run was more direct than the Government service, which lands the North Sydney traffic at Fort Macquarie. Manly has suffered more than any other place by the strike, as the place attracts enormous crowds at holiday times. This year it is almost deserted. The private services did a roaring trade. It is estimated that some of the larger launches earned two to three hundred pounds a day..

The strikers show no resentment against the private and Government competition, and are even prepared to assist. Like the public, however, they are a bit sore over the heavy tariffs the private boats charged. A good story is told of some strikers who live across the harbour. Objecting to pay sixpence to reach their homes, they threatened to return to work in preference to being fleeced. 1 b is estimated the strike ■ affects nearly a hundred thousand residents dependent on the ferries. COPING WITH THE TRAFFIC. Sydney, March 24. The Governmnt steamers easily accommodated to-day’s limited travelling public. Easter Monday is probably the easiest traffic day of the year, and the business rush later hi the week will provide a much harder proposition. Various rumours of possible sympathy strikes are current.

A CONTEMPLATED BRIDGE

The Royal Show receipts for the four days were £550 below last year’s. The strike was responsible. The race attendance was similarly affected. Alto-, gether about 450 are involved in the strike, a good proportion being youthful deck hands, to whose precipitate action the strike is mainly attributed. The men continue to show ai most.: determined front. The companies, up to yesterday, took no steps to‘fill the vacancies. To-day they are advertising for free labour. Amongst the suggestions to overcome the traffic block is the building of a pontoon bridge to North Sydney. It is calculated that it would be constructibh in twenty-four hours. The strike is also giving a strong fillip to the agitation for a bridge connecting North Sydney. THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE.

Sydney, March 24. Representatives of the companies interviewed Mr Carmichael and presented him with a joint letter, pointing out the inadequacy of the existing provisions when regular business demands arose to-morrow, and Suggesting that the Government make arrangements to provide suitable labour to man their boats, offering, in view of the necessity for prompt action to meet the situation, to pay 50 per cent over the present wages pending the action of the Wages Board, such increase not to be considered a • fair wage, but compensation for special services; the men so employed not to be those on strike. The Government would consider the proposal. The facts did rot warrant the conclusion that Urn Government was unable to meet the public wants. So far they had used (my part of the available steamers. to-morrow they would put on the rest. If those were insufficient he would take other steps. If the companies found the boats he would find the crews, and so keep clear of the dispute. For the present ho would utilise Government servants, but he would give no assurance that he would not employ strikers. The directors after cent-.loving the reply, informed Mr Carmichael that they were not prepared t j hand their vessels over to the Government without a stipulation that they would not employ strikers. Mr Carmichael declined to accept the stipulation. Though yesterday’s fleet; was considerably increased, the services were extended to-day, and demonstrated that the present ferry arrangements are inadequate for public demands, at least as far as North Sydney and Cremorne are concerned, during the holiday rush for the show and the races. This morning, and returning to-night, dense crowds packed the wharves at

both ends, and there was much scrambling and pushing. 'Detachments- of police had their work < ut out to regulate the embarking and disembai kittg. Many women and child* tu had a rough time, and were almost suffocated in the crush. At several meetings advice was given to the strike's to stand firm The men loudly cneer*d the Oovevj.-ment's so-called “shandy-gaiT’ service, and its action generally : a Jealir.g with labour matters was causrcatly cnln'Sed (Received 9 5 a m.) The Unions do not object to Government ferries, but the coal lumpers will not coal the ferry companies’ boats if they are run by non-uni oni ists. * A meeting of representatives of unions not volved agreed to twelve deckhands to man tho Government [ steamers to-day on union conditions,

namely, tlie same wages and fortyeight hours weekly. As the company are paying for sixty hours, it is that, the engineers and firemen Avill consider themselves free to accept work with the GoverGnment oil t,ef.Ris which the strikers are willing to endorse.

A RjUSH FOR'TIjE BOAT

POLICE CALLED IN

(Received 10.15 a.m.) Sydney, March 25,

A wild rush occurred during' the busy period last night. While the crowd was struggling to get aboard the free Government ferries, a rowdy section of the crowd showed no mercy on the women, a number of Avboip Avere injured. Others were rescued exh&UStetd or in a fainting condition. TTho police summoned reinforcements, and forty constables Ayere soon in attendance and got control over the boat, Avhen the position Avas threatening to become a riot. The Port Jackson Company for four and. a half hours yesterday afternoon ran a iiipited: service and carried three thousand tp Manly. The Balmain Company managed to nip two reamers to Figtree Bridge, the first to make, the trip, being manned by,directors and officials who did. the stoking.