AFRICAN DEPORTATIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15548, 4 March 1914, Page 9

AFRICAN DEPORTATIONS

LONDON . DEMONSTRATIONS.

"tfO ORDINARY AGITATION."

"BIG STORM BREWING."

MR. MANNS MISSION.

By Telegraph— Association-Copyright

(Received March 3, 8.30 p.m.)

London, March 3. The Daily Express pays a warm tribute to the orderly und impressive nature of the proceedings in Hyde Park, where the demonstration against the South African deportations was held. The gathering, the Express says, was an example of the right method of expressing legitimate opinion, and formed a contrast with the. syndicalist disturbances.

The Daily News says it is fairly certain that not one of the regular political parties in Britain has any real appreciation of the magnitude of the storm brewing. "It is not an ordiuary Labour agitation. The man in the crowd feels, rather than thinks or says, that General Smuts and his colleagues have struck a blow, not at trade unions only, but at the very heart of civilised den*)cracy of any kind."

The other papers admit the seriousness of the conflict between the Union Government and the Labour Party.

Mr. Tom Mann will sail on Saturday for South Africa to reorganise the Labour ranks. He denies that Messrs. Larkin and Tillett are going to help him.

Mr. Ramsay Macdonald on behalf of the joint Labour organisations cabled a day ago to General Botha to remember the attitude of British Labour when South Africa went to war and to withdraw the banishment clause. General Botha replied that he was much impressed, but convinced that the withdrawal was not in the interests of organised Labour in South Africa. MR. MERRIMAN'S MOTION. WIN FOR GOVERNMENT. (Received March 3, 11.5 p.m.) Capetown, March 3. In the House of Assembly yesterday, Mr. Merriman moved the deletion of the banishment clause from the Indemnity Bill, and declared there was no foundation for the deportations except the prejudice of the Government. The lawlessness on the part of the deported men had to a certain extent, in his opinion, been condoned by the lawlessness of the Government. The motion was rejected without a division and the clause confirming the deportations was carried by 72 votes to 15.

PEACE PRESERVATION.

BILL PASSES ASSEMBLY.

Times and Sydney Sun Services.

Johannesburg, March -2.

The passing of the Peace Preservation Bill has caused a sensation here. The Labour. Party declares that South Africa has become worse than Russia. The deportation question is being made the principal feature of the Transvaal Provincial Council elections. The Labour Party expects to win several seats in accordance with their successes at the. recent principal elections*