IRELAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3613, 12 June 1923, Page 27

IRELAND.

THE INDEMNITY BILL. SECOND READING IN THE LORDS. LONDON, June 4. In the House of Lords the Indemnity Bill was read a second time. ENVOYS IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY, June 5. (Received June 5, at 10.20 p.m.) The Irish envoys were charged with engaging in a seditious enterprise, and were remanded till June 26. June 6. The Labour Conference passed a resolution of protest against the action by the authorities in not granting the Irish envoys trial by jury, and appointed a deputation of members of Parliament to interview the Government, with a view to taking the issue to Parliament. In connection with the case against the envoys, O’Kelly was refused bail, and was placed in confinement in the Long Bay Penitentiary. June 7. Mr T. R. Bavin (Attorney-General) told a deputation of parliamentarians who requested a trial by jiury for the Irish envoys that the State’s proceedings in the Police Court would have led to a jury, but the commonwealth intervened with a special board, which would take precedence. If the hoard did not recommend the deportation of the envoys the case would go to a jury. O’Kelly refused bail and went to gaol. He protested that he was assaulted by the police, and he sought the board’s protection. The chairman referred him to the Inspector-General of Police, whereupon O’Keily withdrew his proceedings and asked to he taken to the cells. The Irish envoys’ case has been adjourned to give the defendants an oppor-

tunity of perusing the Crown evidence. The Federal Board which has been inquiring regarding the deportation of the Irish envoys has closed its proceedings, and will later present its report to the Minister.