THE ENEMY WITHIN

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12250, 23 September 1925, Page 7

THE ENEMY WITHIN

AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRACY IN DANGER, SAYS MR BRUCE “AS VITAL A CRISIS AS THE WAR” THE ISSUE IS THE SAME, AND THE ANSWER WILL BE THE SAME By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. (Received September 22, 10.55 p.m.) MELBOURNE, September 22. At the opening of the annual congress of the Nationalist Party, Mr Bruce, in a fighting speech, said: “The Australian democrat;,’ is now .in danger from a small body of men within the country. Australia is faced with a great crisis, as vital to the future of the country as that which we passed through in the dark hours of the Great War. “The issue is again the same—whether the will of the people is to prevail, or whether they will bfe dominated by irresponsible political and industrial extremists, who care nothing for Australia, and are animated by ’a malignant hatred for the British Empire. “Attempts have been made to paralyse our trade and commerce, and efforts have been made by a few men to usurp power, and cripple the country. The supremacy of Parliament has been undermined, and the maintenance of law and order challenged. The laws of the Commonwealth have been defied, and lawlessness and sedition is openly preached. “Encouragement and assistance have been given to those who act against the laws of Australia by Labour Governments in the States, and by Labour representatives in the Commonwealth Parliament. “Democracy is in danger. Our rights are being insolently assailed by a handful of men who have captured the great industrial organisations of the country, and claim to have—and appear to have—supreme authority over them. “There is but one issue, and that issue is law and order against direct action and Communism. “ . . . .'And we answer the extremists as we answered those who tried to destroy this country in the dark hours of the war.”

“NATIONAL UNITY” MB BRUCE’S STIRRING APPEAL. By Teletrrapfa —Press Assn.—Copyright. MELBOURNE, September 22. Mr Stanley Bruce, Prime Minister of Australia, speaking at the Agricultural Society’s luncheon, steered clear of current political issues, and confined himself to an impassioned appeal for national unity and the co-operation of all claßeee and sections, to enable Australia to pass through the dark clouds which at present overshadowed her, into the sunshine of greater progress and prosperity than she had ever known in her history. He deprecated the efforts which were being mode tp foster class hatred and disunity among the people. EDe strongly advocated the need to develop Australia’s trade and other opportunities, and stressed the value in this direction of the immigration arrangements between the British and Commonwealth Governments. NO ADJOURNMENT DKPOKTATIONBOARD’g RULING. By Telegraph.— Press Assn.— Copyright, SYDNEYi September 23. The Deportation Board refused Mr,Watt’s application.for an adjournment till after the Federal elections, holding that the proceedings of the Board oould not be influenced by politics. The opinion Is expressed in some circles that Mr Watt’s application was founded on the contention that Mr Bruce had committed to the hoard for trial on oath, questions which apparently he now preferred to ha,ve decided by the electors on hysteria, prompted and fomented by over-state-ments, gross exaggerations, and all the political machinery 'of oratory and rhetoric. (Received September 22, 10.65 p.m.) The Deportation Board adjourned till to-morrow, to decide whether it will he necessary for Mr Bruce and Senator Pearce to attend. , faEedagain MOVE TO EXTEND STRIKE.

Renter's Telegram. LONDON, September 21. A further move of the shipyard workers to extend the Btrike occurred

at a meeting in London called bv the Operative Plumbers’ Society, with the abject of obtaining the intervention of the/general council of the Trade Union Congress. Seventeen unions were invited, . end only six delegates attended. The bigger unions declined. The meeting was private. Mr McKenna, the plumbers’ vice* president, declined to make a statement ae to .the proceedings on the ground that the development involved too much. An important nnion, which was not represented, is stated to have learned that the conference was h complete fiasco. A PROPOSAL FOR SETTLEMENT Mr E. Shinwell, secretary of the Marine Workers’ Union, through the Press submits to the Shipping Federation a proposal to terminate the strike, provided that the old rate of pay is continued, pending a fully representative meeting of shipowners and seamen to discuss the matter afresh, and that the Maritime Board be reconstituted, giving lepresentation to all sectons of the men. . SOLUTIONJNSIGHT ? . SOUTH AFRICAN PROPOSAL' FOR INQUIRY IN ENGLAND. Renter’s Telegram. CAPETOWN, September 21. Following Ihe activities of Colons' Cresswoil, Minister for Labour, at Durban, with a view to ascertaining a means of solving the deadlock, tHe Union Cabinet has decided to approach the Imperial Government, suggesting the appointment of a hoard of inquiry in England to investigate the functioning or the Maritime Board. The suggestion finds favour with both sides, and will probably result in the calling off of the strike, if adopted. Lloyd’s agents at Durban have written to the Prime Minister requesting protection for loyal crews, in view of intimidation by strikers. The Arundel Castle has aeoured a crew at Maritime Board rates, and has sailed. It is stated that most of the crew are young Dutchmen, who signed on for the sake of the voyage to Europe. Shippers and bikers of maise in London advise their intention to abandon the South African maiso market, transferring their operations to the Argentine.