N.Z.—SYDNEY SERVICE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16412, 4 January 1919, Page 8

N.Z.—SYDNEY SERVICE.

MAKURA'S SEAMEN PAID OFF. (By Cable—Press Association.—Copyright-) SYDiNEY, Januury «J. The seamen of the Mukura, who gave notice to tho company of their intention to leave tho ship, have been paid off Qnd her sailing has been post" poned indefinitely. The mails hove been transferred to the Ventura. The owners of tho Durham have beeu besieged by New Zealauders, of whom there are ttiree or four for each available berth. There is tangible evidenco tliat the n.ew phase of the trouble hoa little coni nexion with the influenza epidemic, which is now being used as a pretext. The men have stated that their dis--1 content is based on tho non-payment of the war .bonuses and the withholding of compensation to the men who lost their effects in torpedoed vessels, and to tho recent award, whiph granted only slight increases in wageß. Remarknble scenos wero witnessed at the New Zealand Government offices, : when 200 people, crowded into a Bmoll room, clamouring for their return to the Dominion and shouting protests against tho Union Steam Ship > Com- .. pany and the seamen. Later it was * announced that "the company would re- , : fund the passage money of those secure ' ing berths in other vessels. PASSENGER AND CARGO VESSELS LAID UP. i (Australian and N. 14. Cable Association.) J (Received January 3rd, .9.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 3. The vessels laid up include the Atua, , Makura, Moeraki, Manuka, Rakanoa, and a number of cargo corners, Tho Union Company is refunding fares. There is no prospect of an early settlement of the trouble.