SYDNEY FERRY SERVICE

Evening Star, Issue 15140, 24 March 1913, Page 6

SYDNEY FERRY SERVICE

MANLY FERRYMEN JOIN THE ' ,STRHvERS. A POPULAR RESORT DESERTED. THE GOVERNMENT RUN A SERVICE. SYDNEY, March 23. The Manly men on Saturday afternoon agreed to allow two steamers to make eight trips up till 7. o'clock ,at -night, chiefly for tho convenience of residents. The concession came too late for excursionists, but proved acceptable to large numbers who had voyaged by early boats before tho strike started, and who had been stranded at both ends. After, knocking off at night the men decided not to run the boats to-day, and it is doubtful if they will resume running on Monday. Manly has suffered more than any other place through the strike, as it attracts enormous crowds at holiday times, but this year it is almost deserted* After running a few trips the Manlyferrymen tied up their "steamers and joined the ranks of the strikers. The whole of the services are now at a standstill. While the strikers have no objection to the Government running a service, as their quarrel is not with the pubMc but with the companies, any attempt to fill their places will probably be strongly resented. The public are taking a more philosophical view of the situation, accepting their disabilities with good humor. The launch services were better organised and dealt fairly well with the traffic on Saturday. Roundabout vehicular traffic has partially relieved the situation in the marine and river suburbs, but a number of trade and other picnics had to be postponed. PRIVATE SERVICES REAP A RICH HARVEST. SYDNEY, March 23. The strikers' uncertain action added to the annoyance of the crowds who had gathered on the wharves in the hope that the boats would be kept going. After tedious waiting they were disappointed. Until the Government cut in the private services did a roaring trade. Some of the larger launches, it is estimated, earned £2OO or £SOO in a clay. The strikers show no resentment of private and Government competition, and are even prepared to assist. Like the rest of the public, they feel sore at the heavy tariffs which the private boats charged. _ Tho story is told of some strikers who live across the harbor objecting to pay 6d to reach home. They threatened to return to work in preference to being fleeced. GOVERNMENT AS STRIKEBREAKERS. SYDNEY, March 23. Though the- strike apparently is no nearer a settlement, the situation has been relieved as far as the public are concerned, the Labor Government stepping in as strike-breakers and running a limited emergency service, carrying passengers free on vessels employed* by the Harbor Trust—steamers and launches. Before starting a regular service the Government utilised the North Svdney horse ferry for carrying passengers, but after a few trips the Ferrymen's Union, of which the captain of the'ferry is a member, called him out, and the punt stopped running. This resulted in great inconvenience to tradesmen and private vehicles having business across the harbor. Altogether over 60 ferry steamers are idle. The first of the Government steamers was put on late in the afternoon, and since then others have continued to make regular trips. As soon as those who were engaged in running scratch services heard of the Government's intentions their charges dropped from Is and 6d to 3d. Thev run a more direct service than the Government, who land their passengers at North Sydney. _ The traffic, to Fort Macquarie is receiving a fair amount of support, though it is competing against the free boats; but the rich harvests reaped during the last two £? r e becn g reat "y curtailed. lho Government have a total of 13 vessels, capable of carrying about 1,300 passengers, besides two old ferry steamers which are being hired. At present they are concentrating their efforts on the North Sydney and Cremorne traffic, hut as opportunities offer the facilities will be extended. It is estimated that the strike, affects nearly 100,000 residents who are dependent on the ferries. The Government steamers easily accommodated Sunday's limited travelling pubEaster Monday is usually the heaviest traffic day in the year, and the business rush later in the week will provide a much harder problem. Various rumors of possible sympathy strikes are current. MEETING OF THE CABINET. TERMS RE.TECTEtTby COMPANIES. ~ . . SIDNEY. March 23. Alter conferring with both sides and subsequent to a Cahinrt meeting on Saturday, the Hon. Mr Carmichael submitted a pioposal to the companies that the men should resume work immediately upon the terms of the existing agreement provided the companies instructed their representative on the Shipping Board to concede the claims pending before the Wages Board for a 48-honrs' week; that there should be no victimisation of any kind ; and that all the men be replaced in their former positions. The companies rejected the proDuring the afternoon Mr Carmichael announced that he had made a proposal which he believed would be acceptable to both the companies and the men, but the companies turned it down without submitting a counter-proposal. Therefore, in order to meet an urgent public necessity, the Government had decided to use the whole of tne boats at their disposal on the various routes. The manager of the Sydney ferries states that after turning down* Air Carmichaels proposals the companies sent hi i » letter stating that thev were making the best efforts they could to run at least emergency services, and asking the Government for assistance in the shape of competent men to run some of 'their steamers and to provide protection for the men on the boats which were put on. YOUTHFUL IGNORANCE THE CAUSE. PROPOSALS ToTuiLD BRIDGES/ SYDNEY. March 24. (Received March 24, at 9.15 a.m.) i The Royal Show receipts for the four oays are £550 below those of last year The strike is responsible for the difference' the races attendance was similarly affected though between forty and fifty thousand people were present. Altogether about 450 men and boys involved in the strike, these including a good proportion of youthful deck hands; to whom the strikers' precipitate action is mainly attributed. The men continue to show a n-.cst determined front. The companies up to yesterday took no steps to fill the vacancies, but to-day thev are advertising for free labor. Amongst the suggestions to overcome the traffic block is the building of a pontoon bridge at North Sydney. It is calculated that one can be constructed in 24 hours. The strike has also given a strong fillip to the agitation for a bridge connecting Sydney with North Sydney. * PLENTY OF LABOR FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICE. The Government pressed two Newcastle tugs into the ferry service. A supply of labor to man all the vessels the Government are likely to utilise is assured. The strikers have offered their services, and also assert they are willing to reman the companies' vessels if the one point of a 48-hour week is conceded. Mr Carmichael, replying to the companies' request to provide bands, pointed out that their expectations of resuming their services are Oase-d on the assumption that the Government, will direct their eight-houi-day employees to work 10 hours,

"•n hereto your companies have attached prom tecs'of ample protection in the event of restarting." The strike leaders deprecate sympathy strikes. They say the fight 'is going to be won or lost by themselves. Thev rely.on the worthiness of their cause. They did not desire the Manley men, who are under a different agreement, to come out. Mr Carmichael has diplomatically fenced the question whether the Government will prosecute the. men for striking.