A FERRY STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 258, 22 March 1913, Page 5

A FERRY STRIKE.

(SYDNEY HELD UP.

. I DISAPPOINTED HOLIDAY .MAKERS. liy Cable—Press Association—Copyright. 1 Received '22, 12.50 a.m. 1 Sydney, March 21. With every prospect m the shape of • weather conditions and attractive pro- ■ grammes, a pleasing holiday was largely I spoiled by tiie sudden tying up of the greater portion of the ferry services. ! Trouble has been rife among the ferry > hands for a considerable time, owing to the delay of the Wages Board in deal- ' "ig vith their grievances. A strike was » threatened early in the month, but was avei ted by Mr. Canniehael intervening and promising to have the proceedings of the Hoard expedited. The arrangement apparently proved unsatisfactory. This morning travellers reaching the wharves after nine o'clock found the steamers and most of the services tied up and deserted, and were unable to cross the harbor. Good Friday is geneially devoted to family picnics and attending the Agricultural Show. As the day wore on great crowds of disappointed picnickers and show visitors massed at both ends of the services. The development was so sudden that it was unknown till they landed at the wharves. Those at the city end were able to avail themselves of trains elsewhere or to Manly, to which the steamers continued to run. The crowds at North Sydney and in other parts across the harbor were compelled to return home or reach their destinations by circuitous routes. Boatmen and launches reaped a rich harvest from those willing to pay a shilling or more for the wonted penny trip. The strikers point out that the Wages Board, sitting one day weekly, has been six weeks taking the unfinished evidence of the Ferry Company's manager. At that rate of progress their turn would never come. Shortly after the strike started, representatives of the men conferred with the Ferry Company's manager, who offered, if they returned to work, that the company would agree to make any award given' by the Board retrospective from January 1. This was not agreeable to the younger section of the strikers, who are in the majority, and was rejected. .Mr. Carmichael. in a statement, said that he heard yesterday that there was likely to be trouble, and detailed an industrial inspector to get into touch with the ferrymen's executive with a view to ■ possibly averting the strike. He received an assurance that there would be no trouble. After the strike commenced he conferred with the managers of the ferry companies, with the result that the companies' ofl'er, previously cabled, was submitted and rejected by the strikers. lfj\ Carmichael also undertook to arrange for a continuous sitting of the Wages Board, so as to obtain an early award. The men submitted counter proposals for a IS hours' week and certain rises of wages, irrespective of the decision of the Wages Board. Mr. Carmichael, considering fhe matter one of extreme urgency, in view of the heavy Easter traffic, is doing his utmost to reach a settlement. After refusing the managers' offer the industrial inspector, on behalf of Mr. Carmichael. offered to conduct a secret ballot of the strikers. This also was declined, the men sticking out for a decision from the Wages Board. It is stated on their behalf that there is nothink ligely in the shape of a settlement till the Board reassembles on Tuesday. The, men say that they are tired of promises. .Mr. Todd, manager of the Sydney Ferries, stated that the men's claims, sijbi mitted to-day, were much in excess or those now being considered by the Wages Board. The company's offer was the extreme limit that it could go. He saw no hope of a settlement. Despite strong efforts to induce them to join the strike, the Manly ferry emloyees refused, on the ground that many i ex Ira thousands, largely consisting of working men and their families, debarred from going elsewhere, would have tone to Manlv. It was unfair to leave them stranded. Developments, however, are possible if n settlement is not reach tomorrow morning. The fleet of idle steamers lying alongside the wharves kept up steam throughout the day in readiness to resume. Crowds hung round in the vain hope of a settlement, or watching developments. The city, generally deserted on Good Friday, was quite lively with disappointed pleasure-hunters wandering about the streets. During the afternoon a big fleet of small craft of all descriptions was plying for hire. The outer suburbs along Lane Cove and other rivers arc in n parlous position. comnir.nicatmion with the city bein™ cut off. i There is a sfron<? fecline of resentment at the. men suddenly sprinpiug the strike in the holiday season. The city was crowded with visitors. Many thousands crowsed b" the early steamers before the sfrike started, and had difficulty in reaching their homes after the day's outing. Negotiations are proceeding for another conference, which will he arranged for to-morrow.