VERY FEW STRIKERS LEFT IN SYDNEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17710, 3 December 1925, Page 1

VERY FEW STRIKERS LEFT IN SYDNEY.

NO PROCEEDINGS TO BE TAKEN AGAINST DESERTERS By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. anrl N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 3, 9.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 3. The manning of British ships is absorbing so many of the strikers whose ships had sailed without them that probably only a few will be left without work. Over 250 men so far have been absorbed, filling the vacancies caused by members of the original crews not being available. No proceedings will be taken against those posted as deserters.

MANY SEAMEN STILL WAIT AT AUCKLAND. SOME WILL BE IN GAOL FOR CHRISTMAS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, December 3. Most of the British seamen who went on strike and were left behind at Auckland are still here. A few of them have shipped on other overseas steamers. Twelve joined the Otaki, which sailed on Monday for Wanganui and Wellington, and about the same number signed on the Hororata before she departed for London oh Tuesday. So far only six have been sent away as distressed British seamen. They left Auckland for London by the Raranga on November 24. Resides those who have gone to sea, some have obtained

labouring work in the country, but the majority are working round the waterfront in warehouses or at cargo work on the wharves. There are about 260 of the strikers in Auckland, including ninety-eight still in gaol, comprising twenty-five from the Taintji, thirty-eight from the Athenic and thirty-five from the Otaki. The Athenic’s men were sentenced to two months’ hard labour, and a number of those from the Tainui and the Otaki to three months’ imprisonment. The Athenic’s men will be released next week and the others in January.