SOUTH AFRICAN STRIKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15986, 31 January 1914, Page 9

SOUTH AFRICAN STRIKE

DEPORTATION OF LABOUR

LEADERS.

GOVERNMENT'S ACTION REVIEWED

Aaiocittioo—By Talegriph—Copyright.

CAPETOWN, January 29

Men of influence and standing aro inclined to think that the punislmient of deportation is not too severe. The Argus notices a growing preference on the part of the new bureaucracy for liigh-handed, arbitrary methods. It says that it would be nothing short of a national calamity if the late unfortunate happenings encouraged tho growth of this evil spirit. . Tho Times's Johannesburg correspondent says that the deported men aro blatant demagogues rather than inlluential leaders. They were tolerated chielly because o[ their fiery utterances and appeals to the mob.

CAPTAIN'S RESPONSIBILITY.

LONDON, January 29

The Star suggests that the captain of the steamer Urngeni is liable to be indicted for false imprisonment. The paper mentions a similar case in 1859, when Lesley, the captain of ail English vessel, contracted with the Chilian Government to convey some banished politicians to Liverpool. The Lord Chief Justice then held that Chilian law beyond the three-mile limit was superseded by British law, and Lesley was convicted of false imprisonment.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

AWAITED.

LONDON, January 29,

The newspapers eagerly await Mr Botha's vindication of the Executive's acts and the Union Parliament's debate thereon. Some papers emphasise the report that the deported men had started a revolution, but failed. Had they succeeded, a native rising was almost inevitable.

EXPRESSIONS OF OPINION,

CAPETOWN, January 29,

Press and other correspondents summarise the opinions in various capitals. In Capetown some Unionists who have hitherto supported the Government feel that a dangerous precedent has been made, and that it would have been better to await an Act of Parliament sanctioning the deportations. There is little doubt, however, that the Government will secure an indemnity.

In Durban it is generally admitted that the agitators were dangerous members of the community, but that it would be better if the courts regularised the expulsions.

In Johannesburg the Government's action is approved, as meaning an end to the labour unrest foT a considerable time. It is understood that the Minister of Defence (Mr Sniuts) is chiefly responsible for the deportations.

Mr (jresswell, M.P., the released agitator, despatched a telegram to the LabouT leaders in various centres, but the Press Censor returned it. All the morning papers were prohibited from publishing accounts of yesterday's Supreme Court proceedings.

The Daily Telegraph's Johannesburg correspondent advises that Waterston will be deported to Australia.

A MAN ACQUITTED

JOHANNESBURG, January 29.

The court martial acquitted Oliver, who was charged with being in possession of dynamite.

CARE OF WIVES AND CHILDREN". (Times-Sydney Sun Special Cab^s.j

LONDON, January 29. (Received Jan. 50, at 5.30 p.m.) A report that Lord Gladstone is coming to London to explain Mr Botha's action is unfounded. It is understood that the wives and children of the deported men will be looked after by the Government.

EXODUS OF MINERS.

RIGHTS OF FARMERS.

CAPETOWN, January 29,

(Received Jan. 30, at 5.30 p.m.)

There is a remarkable rush of miners from the Transvaal, booking for England, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Government has severely cartailed its legislative programme, thinking thai in view of the excited state of feeling it is advisable to make the session as short as possible. Constitutionalists like Mr Merriman, Mr Duncan, and Mr Schreiner take a serious view of the deportations, though they recognise the need for martial law.

The deported men were told that they were being taken to Zululand. They were given a change of underclothing, and the captain of the Umgeni was given a smallsum of money to hand to them in London.

Lord Gladstone, speaking at Peari, declared that some people had recently forgotten that there were farmers in Africa. They did not wish to interfere with other classes, but they were determined that their own views and rights should not bo interfered with.

UMGENI UNDER SEALED ORDERS

OWNERS INDEMNIFIED,

CAPETOWN, January 30. (Received Jam. 30, at 11.5 p.m.)

It is pointed out that it would be easy for the Imperial authorities to intercept the Umgeni, which has a speed of 11 knots an hour, several days before she rounds the Cape pf Good Hope. The Cape cruiser Hyacinth could easily find her.

It is understood that the Union Government has indemnified the owners in the event of proceedings in the English courts.

The vessel sailed with sealed orders, and is practically under the Union Government's control.

No one will be allowed to communicate with the persons on board during the voyage. The vessel will call at Las Palmas.

When the deported men arrived at Durban they had few belongings except the clothes which they were wearing. The Government supplied each man with a shirt, a singlet, and a pair of sox.

OBSTRUCTION BY PICKETS,

POUR MEN FINED,

JOHANNESBURG, January 30. (Received Jan. 30, at 11.5 p.m.)

Four pickets at Braamfontein were charged with obstructing non-strikers who were returning to work. One, who used threats, was fined £20, and the others were fined from £2 to £5.

Mr Tole, the new president of Trade Unions, owing to Watson's deportation, was unconditionally released, as also were Messrs Carbis and Campbell.

SEIZURE OF DOCUMENTS.

MILITARY AUTHORITIES

ALARMED.

LONDON, January 30. (Rcccived Jan. 30, at 11.5 p.m.) , The Daily Mail's Durban correspondent says that papers which were seized at Johannesburg before the deportation, dla-

closed more than the Government ex pected, and the military authorities Decame apprehensive.

The Daily Telegraph's Capetown correspondent says the Government has abandoned the idea of passing a Deportation Hill because Lord Gladstone has intimated that he must reserve it for the Home Government's special instructions.

UNFORTUNATE DEPENDENTS.

LEFT WITHOUT MEANS.

LONDON, January 30. (Received Jan. 30, at 11.5 p.m.} The deported men left seven wives and 19 children, mostly without means. Waterston's wife and four children are unprovided for.

The Daily Telegraph recalls the fact that Waterston was a member of an Australian contingent in the South African war, and represented his regiment at King Edward's coronation. Watson lias been married only four months.

MEETING AT CAPETOWN

SPEECH BY MR CRESSWELL.

CAPETOWN, January 30, (Received Jan. 30, at 11.45 p.m.)

On his arrival at Capetown Air Cresswell was welcomed by a large crowd. He addressed 3000 people, who passed a resolution condemning deportations without trial.

Mr Cresswell compared the Government to Levantine brigands. If it hoped to damage the Labour movement, its action was like an endeavour to dam up the Amazon with a teaspoonful of mud.

PRESS OPINIONS.

GOVERNMENT'S ACTION SUP

PORTED

CAPETOWN, January 6U. (Received Jan. 30, at 11.45 p.m.)

The censorship prevents the publication of expressions of public opinion in the Transvaal, but the newspapers, which are generally opposed to the Government, including the East London Despatch, the Kimberley Advertiser, and tlie Pretoria News, are now defending Mr .Botha's measures. The Natal Mercury says it is convinced that the majority of members of Parliament will support Mr Botha. A Bloemfontein newspaper, The Friend, draws a distinction between the rights of a political Labour party and a revolutionary Labour party.

QUESTION OF LANDING,

MR GLYNN'S OPINION

MELBOURNE, January 30. (Received Jan. 30, at 9.50 p.m.)

Mr Glynn, referring to the cabled rumour that Waterston, the South African Labour leader, would be deported to Australia, said he knew of nothing to prevent him from landing if he wished to do so. Expatriation by an Executive Act under martial law did not necessarily place a stigma on anyone. However, if any part of the dominions adopted the practice of dumping real undesirables in Australia, action would have to be taken.

PROTESTS AGAINST DEPORTATION

• SYDNEY, January 30. (Received Jan. 31, at 0.35 a.m.)

The Labour Unions in the various States are adopting resolutions of protest against the deportation of the South African leaders.