AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1357, 19 June 1918, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

DEALING WITH SEDITION. By Cable.—rresH A.*xoriation. — Copyright'. SYDNEY, June 18. As a result of recent disturbances in the Domain, arising out of returned soldiers objecting to the utterances of certain speakers, Mr Holman announced in the Assembly that the Government intended to introduce at an early date legislation providing that any person found guilty of a seditious utterance shall be disfranchised for a period of not less than four, nor more than ten years, and shall be incapable of holding any public office, and shall also be prohibited for not longer than six months from speaking in certain prohibited areas.

A warm discussion followed, the Opposition severely criticising the proposal.

The HI. Hon. \V. A. Watt has issued a warning to disloyalists, which (states that certain believers in the pacifist doctrine have unduly presumed on the conciliatory attitude of the Government and have made speeches harmful to recruiting. One case was so flagrant that the Government had authorised a prosecution, and hoped the warning would be noted and unpleasant consecpiences averted, as the Government was determined that the voluntary system must have a fair trial. CHANGE OF COMMAND. (lice .Tunc 10, 10.2.">) MELBOURNE. June 19. The Rt. Hon. G. F. l'carce has announced that the change of command of the Australian forces on the West front was due to General Birdwood receiving temporary command of an army. THE MAKAMBO. SYDNEY, June IS. The Makambo's captain sent out a wireless message to-day stating that the pumps were keeping the water under control, and that it was hoped to refloat the vessel on the next tide. All the passengers were safely landed. A tug has been dispatched from Sydney with reiloaling gear, and should reach Lord Howe Island tomorrow.