THE AFRICAN EXILES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15551, 7 March 1914, Page 7

THE AFRICAN EXILES.

LITTLE HOPE OF RETURN.

RELENTLESS MINISTERS.

DEBATE IN THE ASSEMBLY.

SITTING LASTS ALL DAY.

VAIN LABOUR PROTESTS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright,

(B-eceived March 7. 1.5 a.m.)

Capetown, March 6. After a debate, lasting~£&r- 24 hours, the House of Assembly has decided to retain the names of the deported strike leaders in the banishment clause of the Indemnity Bill.

General Smuts sat silent as a sphinx during the whole sitting. The Ministers relentlessly and stolidly ignored repeated requests to specify charges against the deported men.

Mr. Andrews, a Labour member, hinted at the possibility of the workers of Britain refusing to handle South African products.

The Labour Party vainly endeavoured to secure the deletion of thft word undesirables" from the short title, contending that it classed the deported men -as -criminals.

After a five hours" debate, Mr. Cresswell's motion to delete Poutsma's name and substitute General Botha's was negatived by 64 votes to 13.

The Bill then passed the committer; stage, and the House adjourned. At the conclusion of the sitting General Smuts and Mr. Cress-well exchanged courtesies. MR, MANN'S SERVICES. (Received March 7, 12.5 a.m.") London, March 6. The Labour newspapers describe the proposal to send Mr. Tom Mann to South Africa as a farce. The Labour leaders say that he is t-ha last man who should go there at this juncture.