Telegraphic News

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LIII, Issue 2772, 15 May 1903, Page 2

Telegraphic News

.■rom oi7r spkoul courkro.n dhnts. [By Tbleoraphj. Melbourne, May 14 In the Assembly, after further debate, a motion to introduce the Premier's Strike Bill was carried on the voices. The majority of the speakers supported the Government, some expressing the hope that the door would be left open for the men to return. Mr Maloney declared that Mr Shields had directed the operations of the Government and Mr Bent did the dirty work.

Mr Irvine introduced the Bill late at night. The preamble sets out that it is necessary to invest the Government with further power to suppress the strike and so restore co the public the full use of the railways. The chief provisions of the Bill are: —Every person employed on the railways, either permanently or in a supernumerary capacity, who ceased his duties without the approval of the Commisstoner, after fouiteen days' clear notice, shall be deemed a striker. A penalty, not exceeding one hundred pounds, or twelve months' imprisonment, or both such penalties is provided for any offence against any provision of the Act. The Act gives special power to fill any place vacated by the strikers. The following are made offences : — The use of threats of violence and intimidation or insulting language to loyalists or their families; the lurking near or spying upon houses where loyalists reside, or their places of work; the following of them through streets in a disorderly manner; soliciting or persuading mon not to remain in tho Service or carry out their duties; attempting to interfere with their liberty; tampering with railway property, or suggesting any act to stop or delay the running of trains ; organising, holding, receiving, collecfcing,or distributing any strike funds; to encourage, continue, or extend the strike. For such oflen-

ces the offenders can be arrested without warrant. Other clauses provide against the printing, publishing or pasting of any notification encouraging the strike; make the meeting of more than six persons in favour of the strike unlawful; make the obstruction of the police an offence; and provide for the protection of any witnesses in cases arising out of the strike. The final clause limits the duration of the Act to the continuance cf the strike.

Mr Irvine, the Premier, in moving second reading of the Bill, said the Bill had a partially retrospective effect. Tliß Government did not intend to ask Parliament to validate anything they had done, as Ministers took the whole responsibility for their acts.

While Mr Irvine was explaining the more stringent provisions of the Bill he was interrupted by angry demands from the labour members, and cries of " Russia !" " Shame!" " Hang them !" "Shoot them!" With regard to the men who remained loyal, and those who had c_me to the assistance of the Government, Mr Irvine said, it was intended to give them seniority, and not close the door on the strikers, who signified that they were willing to return, but the door would be open a very limited time.

Sir A. Peacock, leader of the Oppo B sition, moved an amendment expressing regret that the men had gone on strike on the eve of tbe assembling of Parliament, but if they return forthwith, the House take into consideration any grievances from which they think they suffer. He urged the Government not to rush extremes in legislation for the strike, and advocated conciliation. The Premier said the effect of the amendment was to ask the Government to surrender its responsibility in the matter, and had the effect of a, motion of want of confidence. The Government must assert its responsible position. The debate was still proceeding in the early hours of the morning. The Secretary""of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers admits that about ten men have returned to work. He and the other leaders deny any considerable dissatisfaction in their ranks. London, May 13. The Bank of England has abandoned the allotting to small applications in full, owing to the enormous proportion of stags. No successful applicant for the loan will be allotted less than .£IOO. It has been arranged between the contending forces at Tetuan to permit the burial of 300 killed. France is adopting offensive and defensive measures against raiders from Morocco into Algeria. Professor George Darw.n, in the course of an address at the Royal Institution, said the days were calculably lengthening, and the time would come when the cl»y wonld__l_____cj__a l to two present days, when the earth slowing down would rotate eight times a month. The newspapers give much prominence to the railway strike in Victoria, and almost without exception they condemn the action of the strikers. The "St. James Gazette" says the strike is full of mistrustful consideration for friends of the Colony, and that the Labour Party's presumption is largely the result of being pampered and humoured for personal motives by persons who ought to know better, The "Gazette" adds "the champions of undue corporate municipal trading here are showing the same disregard of the inevitable consequences of their action." Paris, May 13. While the French submarine boat Algerian was manoeuvring at Cherbourg, the quartermaster and several sailors were nearly asphyxiated. Constantinople, May IS The foreign Consuls complained against the huddling of 772 prisoners in the Salonica fortress. The Salonica police have unearthed 7001bs of dynamite. Albanians at Jakova informed Shaker Pasha that they were loyal to the Sultan, but they considered the reforms contrary to the Koran, which forbade infidels to bear arms or try Moslems. It is alleged in some quarters that the Sultan's Pacificatory Commission instigated these statements. New York, May 13 The police have traced the Umbria's infernal machine to a New York lodging house, and they are endeavouring to trace the maker, whose trunks contain shavings, tools, and pieces of clock work. Strikers at Valparaiso burned the quays and the South American Steamship Co.'s offices. Ten strikers were killed and 200 injured in a c inflict with tho police, The industrial struggle in New York is intensified by tho master builders agreeing to reject material from firms employing Union dray drivers.