AUSTRALIAN STRIKE NEWS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3172, 24 August 1917, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN STRIKE NEWS

THE CENSORSHIP A COMMONWEALTH AFFAIR RUMOURS OF RIOTING BASELESS Reference to the censorship of all news of the great strike in Australia was made in the' House of Representatives yesterday. » _ Mr. P. C. Webb'asked the. Prime Minister whether it was the Now Zealand Government or tho Australian Government thut was applying the censorship on news coming from Australia. Numbers of people were saying that tho news was blocked by the New Zealand Government. He did not believo that this was correct, but he would be glad to know from the Prime Minister.

Mr.' Massey replied: 1- know nothing about what is done in Australia, but there is no censorship at this end on the nows to which the question refers. . I know of nothing to prevent news coming from Australia. ,At any rate, it is not considered necessary to censor news at present. I have received information from Australia, and I want to tell the Houso that these rumours about rioting, and the use of machine-guns, and tho burning of public buildings are absolutely without foundation. There is a very serious striko going on there, but that is all one can say. How long it will last it is impossible to judge. I am very glad to have an opportunity of saying there is no foundation for the alarming reports that have been current here.

GOVERNMENT STANDS FIRM VOLUNTEERS FOR TRAINS AND TRAMS. x By Telegraph—Press Association. Chrlstchurch, August 23. Mr. G.\D. Greenwood cabled to R. J. Mason, his trainer," "who is at present in Sydney, asking if he should go across to Australia. Mr. Mason replied in tho affirmative. Mr. Greenwood also receive ed a cable message from Longreach, Central Queensland, saying that trains are still running, from Sydney to Longreach. ■ / •

A well-known Christchurch business man received the following cable message on Monday from his partner, who is in Sydney: "Government is firm. Plenty of volunteers for, trains, and trams ..today: Unloading ships cannot leave. Crews and firemen are causing the delay." On Tuesday the same gentleman cabled that thero was no improvement, and he had absolutely no idea -when he would be able to return to Now Zealand. "ORDINARY CONDITIONS PREVAILING." By Telegraph—Press Association. ' Christchurch, August 23, A Christchurch merchant yesterday forwarded a cable a leading Sydney merchant, inquiring how the strike was progressing, and if martial law was in force. The following reply was received: "Ordinary conditions prevail ing." % _ Another Christchurch importer sent a siumar message, and th« following reply Is to hand: "Statement incorrect. No martial law."