AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1922, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

\UMRAI.L\N AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION SEAFRONT trouble. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 4. 11l connection with the sailing of the Makura, which is stated to be largely manned by stranded British' firemen, the local seamen express much disgust and anger. The trouble is the outcome of the rupture between English and Australian seamen organisations arising from the refusal of the letter to allow crews which manned the Commonwealth liners from England to become members of the Australian organisation and work the ship back to England. Local shipowners claim the rush of men to man tiie Makura disclosed the fact that ample free Labour is available to place all the idle vessels in commission. The probability is that unless the Seamens’ Union displays a more reasonable attitude, an extension of free Labour manning will shortly bo inaugurated. Much distress is existent among waterfront employees of various classes and they are allegedly simmering with discontent over the way the position has been allowed to develop. There are rumours of the likelihood of a- breakaway from Union control.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. (Received this dav at 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 4. The most noticeable features of the Municipal and Shire elections throughout the State are the unusually heavy pull and large number of sitting members were defeated.. Politically - these elections have little significance, interest centring on local questions. Labour strengthened its position in a few instances and in others lost ground. A few women candidates offering failed to secure winning support.

M A KURA’S CREW. SYDNEY, Dee. 4. If lias bet'll explained that English seamen stranded in Sydney through the Seamen’s Union barring their admissi*u were on the verge of being repatriated at the expense of the Commonwealth. The condition of repatriation of distressed seamen is that there must lie no work offering in the port where they are stranded. It is contended when the Union Company invited volunteers to join the Makura the English seamen had no alermUive but to accept, irrespective of what their inclination was. CRICKET’ TEAM HELD UP. (Received this dav at J 1.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec I. In view of MacLaren’.H hold-up Smith is endeavouring to arrange a match with New South Wales “olt.s for Tuesday and Wednesday. Smith states the matches at Auckland and Wanganui will have to lie sacrificed. He suggests the receipts of the match be given to tliu New Zealand cricket authorities to help compensate for the losses following the hold-up.