RAND OUTBREAK

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 155, 27 March 1922, Page 5

RAND OUTBREAK

INQUIRY DEMANDED BILL FOR WITHDRAWAL OF MARTIAL LAW BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION. —OOPYBIGHT. (Rec. March 26, 5.5 p.m.) Cape Town, March 24. General Smuts has introduced into the House of Assembly an Indemnity Bill providing for the withdrawal of martial law on the Rand and indemnifying Government officers’ acts committed in good faith during martial law. General Hertzog asked if the Premier was prepared to appoint a Parliamentary Commission to inquire into the happenings on the Rand. General Smuts repeated his former statement, “Not at this stage, only if it appears necessary as the result of the trials.”

General Hertzog demanded an inquiry into the administration of martial "law before the Bill was agreed to. The Speaker raised the question whether it was constitutional to appoint a Parliamentary Commission simultaneously with special courts to inquire into'identical facts. Mr. Boydell, Labour leader, also demanded an inquiry, suggesting that the League of Nations appoint a body for that purpose. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

FOREIGN SUPPORT FOR STRIKE DENIED, CHECK TO TRADE UNIONISM (Rec. March 25,. 5.5 p.m.) Cape Town, March 24. Mr. Crawford, general secretary of the South African Industrial Federation, who was turned out by the extremists when the general strike was declared, states that as far as he knows there is no truth in the statements circulated to the effect that a large sum was received by cable from Washington and Amsterdam to support the strike. On the contrary, a cablegram from the secretary of the International Federation of Trade Uaions at Amsterdam stated that, owing to European movements and Russian, relief, was impossible. It is generally accepted that trade unionism on the Rand has received a severe check. Employers who formerly gave preference to trade unionists are now finding themselves able to pick and choose, and there is practically a free market in labour, though they deny victimisation. The municipal trams are now running, after 24 days’ cessation. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.