THE FERRY STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 260, 26 March 1913, Page 5

THE FERRY STRIKE.

A BETTER SERVICE. EVOLVING ORDER OUT 01? CIIAOS. TIIE PUBLIC PHILOSOPHIC. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright.. Received "25, !U0 p.m. Sydney, March 25. The Government's free ferry services met the crisis consequent on the resumption of business after the holidays better than was anticipated. The service# managed to lift all the trallic without undue delay.

To meet the morning's rush four steamers were put on the Milson's Point run. As the trains and trams poured in fresh relays of 'business people, the wharves became densely massed, the sweltering heat adding to the discomfort. There was some jostling and pushing, but on the whole the crowds were splendidly handled, as they have been throughout, by th*> police.

The Harbor Trust officials behaved well, and accepted the situation good humoredly, working at top speed. They packed the last possible inch of living freight on the boats, and gradually relieved the pressure. By 0 o'clock the rush was over. During the rest of the day the demands were easily met. Similarly the Cremorne service, upon which much regular Manly trallic is centred, proved fairly efficient. Mr. Carmichael and the president of the Harbor Trust evince satisfaction at the result. Some of the boats ran to Circular Quay. Previously all went to Macquarrie Point, where the whole of the trams unloaded. The usually lmsy quay bears a forlorn appearance, with the deserted wharves, ilanked with rows of idle ferry steamers.

The largely augmented trams met the pressure caused bv the stoppage of the Balmain, Watson's Bay and other city ferry-served centres.

The public are beginning to accept the position philosophically and to adapt themselves to existing facilities. The Government is using every effort to better all means of communication. Order is gradually growing out of what at first threatened to be a most serious dislocation.

The Watson's Tsav'Company pot two steamers going with scratch crews. The -Manly and Lane Cove emergency services were continued, though they are far from meeting the demands of the morning and night rushes.

As far as the strike itself its concerned, the parties appear to he no nearer settlement. Both are apparently determined to fight tile fight of ''sit down.''

At a mass meeting of strikers general satisfaction was expressed at Mr. Carmiehael's (inn attitude in refusing to take over the companies' fleets conditional upon strikers not being employed thereon. The men expressed their willingness to man the Government boats. The statement of the secretary.of the Firemen and Deck Hands' Union that he refused to attend the Wages Board meeting, which was resumed this morning, until the 48 hours' week was granted, was received with cheers. The secretary added that lie was compelled to take this action in fairness to the men. The companies, to a certain extent, stand on velvet over the strike. A very large proportion of regular travellers are season ticket holders. The companies' agreements provide against compensation for ticket holders in the event of a strike. While the strike lasts, therefore, the companies will not only save working expenses but retain a large proportion of the prepaid revenue. ('< IX FEREXCF. PR Of IREKSTXO. Received "2(>. 1.10 a.m. Sydney, ".March 2."). The conference of the managers of the fcrrv companies and the striker*' representatives is nrogressinir. There is some reason to believe that its <1 eel -inns will have an important bearing on the strike. A ROWDV CROWD. WO JIF.X MAT.TRI • ATED. POLICE Ql'-ELL THE RIOT. Sydney. March 20. A wild rush occurred at ll;c busy period last night, while the en wd was struggling to get on board the free fiovirnment f'Tries. The rowdv section of the crowd showed no incrcv to women, a number of whoi'i were injure!. Others wre rescued exhausted or fl intiP". The police summoned reinforcements: forty constables were soon in attendance, and got control over what wa = threatening to become a riot. The Port Jackson Conipanv, in 4 1 /- hours yesterday afternoon, with a limited service, carried "(Nil) to Manlv. The Baimain Company 'uanare'l to run Iwn steamers to Fi;,' Tree "Bridge. The first io make the trip was m-inued I"- diro-iiirs ar.d olTh-ials. who did t"if stoking. A remttiox hf norr;^. Sydn March 2.">. The attendance at the Show yesterd;"" was _7 ! >OO. The unions do not-'object to Ihe Government ferries, b-tf the coal lumpers will not coal the ferry companies' boats if they are run bv lion-unionists. A mectimr of the renres<-!if at ives of the unions involved agree that twelve deck hands shall man the Government steamers to-day on union conditions. iia'tHv. the sani- wa;:es and -IS hours weekly, as the company is paying for 00 hours. It. is understood thai the engineers and 'iremen will consider themselves free to accent work for the Government oil terms which the strikers are willing to endorse.