MAKURA'S CREW PAID OFF.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 14958, 4 January 1919, Page 5

MAKURA'S CREW PAID OFF.

DEMONSTRATION BY STRANDED

PASSENGERS.

Sydney, Jan. 3

The seamen of the Makura gave notice to the company of their intention to leave the ship, and they 'have been, paid off, and the sailing of the vessel has been postponed indefinitely. The mails have been transferred to the Ventura.

There is tangible evidence that the new phase of the trouble has little connection with the influenza pretext, the men having stated that their discontent is based on the non-payment of bonuses, the withholding of compensation to men who lost their effects in torpedoed vessels, and the recent award, which granted only slight increases in wages.

Remarkabe scenes were witnessed at the New Zealand Government offices, when 200 people crowded into a small room, clamouring for return passages to the Dominion, and shouting protests against the Union Company and the seamen.

It was later announced that the company would refund the passage money to those securing berths in other

vessels