U.S. STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 292, 9 December 1936, Page 8

U.S. STRIKE.

MARINE WORKERS. STEAMERS TIED UP. N.Z. TRAVELLERS STRANDED. BIG RUSH FOR MAKUBA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SAN FRANCISCO, November IS. There ■ have been upwards of 000 travellers from "down under" stranded in California as a result of the maiine strike, which has crippled shipping throughout the .ports of the Pacific Coast. Many of the world tourists have been staying, in Los Angeles and San Francisco hotels, and, some took apartments and became willing sojourners in California. Nearly all of thorn found their way to San Francisco tp participate ill the three-day celebrations upon the opening of the BJ-mile steel bridge connecting San Francisco with the transbay city of Oakland, a structure which •cost 7*7,200,000 dollars (£15,440,000), and is said to be the longest in the world. All along the waterfronts of the Western American ports ships from all parts of the world were deadlocked through the protracted strike of 37,000 Maritime workers seeking higher wages, better conditions aboard and the control of hiring halls. The strike , caught Australians and New Zealanders in their annual migration back home after siimm;/ visits to Great Britain. In recent years the travel froiij' Australia and New Zealand to Great Britain has -been increasing by way of the United States instead of by the British steamship lines along the coast of Africa. On the present occasion hundreds were caught half-way home. Some found ..bookings on Japanese vessels leaving San Francisco and Los Angeles, and. others -made the long trip north to Vancouver, British Columbia, to sail on British ships. But many remained, feeling that they might get back home some way before the Christmas holidays. Most of the travellers were people of means and well able to remain indefinitely in California. It transpired that some of the tourists were short of funds, and iii the same position as were the many American travellers stranded in Hawaii on the way home from China and the Philippines. Makura Meets Strike Conditions. The arrival of the Union Steamship Company's liner Makura in San 1* nutcisco resulted in a big rush to secure passage on the New Zealand steamer, thereby relieving somewhat the peculiar situation which had been another sidelight of the disastrous Pacific Coast strike of maritime workers. The "Auckland Star" correspondent went down to the San Francisco pier to witness the arrival of the Makura from Sydney and Wellington. The precincts of the pier were full of activity owing to the presence of a large number of San Francisco longshoremen on picket duty. There were 93 passengers aboard the

Makura, but their baggage was eventually handled and thev ""ere able to continue on their way to American cities, and many 011 to Britain, I'ranee and elsewhere. All the mails were carried and taken 011 their way to the San Francisco Post Offic# and those for Britain were dealt with expeditiously, and there was no delay. One problem presented itself in the consignment of gold bullion from Australia. It was regarded as Government property, under the same classification as the mails, and was cairied ashore and transferred to safety without anv mishap. The Makura had a miscellaneous cargo aboard, including hides, tallow, coconuts and a number of empty oil drums, but there was 110 attempt to land this motley cargo in the face of the complicated strike existing in San Francisco and elsewhere on the western coast.

The "Star" correspondent lield a conversation with a knot of picketing longshoremen and he was given to under - stand that under no consideration would any cargo l>e handled to be placed aboard the Makura destined for Australian or New Zealand ports. The chief obstacle challenging the return of the Makura to the Antipodes was as to whether the ship's officers would be able to secure sufficient fresli water, fuel oil and perishable foods, but longshoremen officials declared every effort would be made to have these placed aboard and permit the liner to make her way back to Australia on her final trip. Food Supplies Rationed. Faced by a serious food shortage through the tie-up of 150 vessels from all parts of the world, grocery shops and other suppliers of foodstuffs have started to ration out their supplies, a fact which has come as a blow to the hitherto care-free public. Widespread and urgent appeals for relief have been sent to President Roosevelt and the Department of Labour, but these: have so far failed to bring an assurance of immediate action in nego tiating for a peaceful settlement of the strike? The people are wondering what the near future holds in the way ot inconvenience resulting from the industrial deadlock.