COMPANIES "ON VELVET"

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 66, 26 March 1913, Page 5

COMPANIES "ON VELVET"

MEN’S “SIT DOWN” FIGHT.

THE POOR PUBLIC.

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Sydney, March 25. The G overnment’s free ferry services met the crisis consequent on tfie resumption of business after the holidays better than was anticipated. The services managed to lift all the traffic 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 tiie crowds were splendidly handled, as they have been throughout, by the

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 9 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 traffic is centred, proved fairly ffiecient. 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 busy quay bears a forlorn appearance, with the deserted wharves, flanked with rows of the ferry steamers. The largely augumented trams met the pressure caused by 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 Bay Company got two steamers going with scratch crews. Tho 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 is concerned, the parlies appea,r to b4L|no nearer settlement. Both are apparently determined to fight the fight of “sit=d6wn.”. Mt , ''MiH 1 {.\ At a mass meeting of strikers general satisfaction' A r as .Expressed at Mr Carmichael’s, firm attitude in refusing to take Overi the companies’ fleets conditional upon strikers not being employed thereon. The men expressed their willingness to man the Government boats.

* The 1 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 4,8 hours’ week was granted, was received with cheers. The secretary added that he 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.

AN ABORTIVE CONFERENCE BETTER PROSPECTS OF SETTLEMENT. (Received 9.50 a.m.) Sydney, March 26. There are signs of a settlement of the strike. The parties conferred, and late last night the following basis of agreement was suggested: A 96 hours fortnight; on days other than Sundays and gazetted public holidays, the weekly pay will be the same as now paid for a sixty hours week; overtime to be paid fortnightly for Sundays and holidays, and overtime at the rate of time and a half; twelve hours to be the longest - continuous shift on Sundays and holidays; ordinary day no less than six nor more than twelve hours; and all employees to be reinstated. These terms were accepted, except in the case of the 96 hours fortnight, where the employers substituted 108 hours. The union’s representatives rejected the alteration and the conference terminated, but will be resumed to-day, when Mr Carmichael places a slight modification before the directors which he is hopeful will be accepted.