Cook Strait 'cattle run'

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34107, 20 March 1976, Page 1

Cook Strait 'cattle run'

t.V.Z Fre«« AMOrtattoni WELLINGTON March 19. Stewaids on the railcargo ferry Arahanga. which has been under pressure for C<»ok Strait passenger t rax el since the Aramoana broke down on Tuesday, have said that the Railways Department has been herding travellers into the ship as if they were cattle.

The assistant genera! secretary of the Federated Cooks and Stewards Union , (Mr Date Abrahams) wa> told by stewards in the -hip today that since Tuesday morning, the ship had ferried 672 passengers, not including babies and children, across the Strait. There are facilities for a maximum of 40 passengers, but stewards said that the department was using the Arahanga to ferry more than 100 passengers each way be. tween Wellington and Picton on two round trips a day . On its 11.40 sailing this morning the ship had its emergency complement of about 100 travellers, as well as a number of children. Mr Abrahams said the stewards were dismayed at the conditions on the shin during the crowded crossings. but were determined to continue to do their jobs within the limits the department permitted. Their greatest concern, he said, was for the women

passengers, who made up about half the number of passengers on each crossing ‘‘There is only one toilet, even although the department started to make provision for an extra lavators bowl last September. Thi< was considered necessary tr provide for the ship’s normal loading of 40 passengers, but it is still not avail able for use.” he said. “Crew members are dis tressed to witness a lone never-ending line of women waiting to use the single water closet. There is no provision at all for children and babies, and women has* to breast feed and change soiled napkins on their babies in the passenger lounge. Mr Abrahams said th» Arahanga had a lounge capacity for 40 passengers and a cafeteria capable ol seating 20 at a time. Stewards were coping with five sittings in the cafeteria each crossing, but the department permitted them to serve only tea and gingernut biscuits. The Arahanga is likely tt end its emergency role tomorrow with the expectec return of the passenger carrying ferry Aranui. which has been undergoing survey.