MR. KEIR HARDIE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2204, 7 October 1907, Page 2

MR. KEIR HARDIE.

RIOTS IN CALCUTTA

FORTY POLICE INJURED.

United Press Association —Copyright CALCUTTA, Oct, 4.

A meeting demanding self-govern-ment lay force in Calcutta was dispersed by the police. Street rioting followed. Showers of stones wore thrown and shops looted. Tlio disturbances lasted many hours. The mob was eventually dispersed by six divisions of police. Forty police were injured. Tho meeting was held at Blandon square. It was organised by sympathisers of tho recently-banished students. Subsequently student hooligans gathered on tho roofs in Northern Calcutta and pelted trams and passers-by with brickbats. Europeans wero singled out for attack. Bengali newspapers blame tlio police, and allege tho situation was created in order to throw discredit on Mr. Keir Hardie.

REPORTS OF RIOTS EXAG-

GERATED

AA’ILL MR. HARDIE BE DE-

PORTED?

(Received Oct. 6, 5.4 p.m.) LONDON,_ Oct. _5. The latest information is that the Calcutta native press greatly exaggerated tho riots. Tho “Tribune,” commenting, says it is possible that this may further impress on Mr. Hardi© the lesson, which doubtless ho had begun to learn, that it was exceedingly unwise to give tho press any dangerous material which it might exaggerate. Tho “Daily Telegraph” says that Mr. Hardie meditates a short stay in India' before proceeding to play the “angelic firebrand” in Australia. His early departure may relievo tlio Indian Government of the necessity of deporting him.

INDISCRETIONS IN INDIA

“DESERA’ES HANGING.”

United Press Association—Copyrigbl MELBOURNE, Oct, 5.

Iu the Senate Mr. iDobson denounced the mischievous, unpatriotic, traitorous speeches of Mr. Keir Hardie in India, and declared that ho deserved hanging.

STRONG FEELING IN AVELLING TON.

THE PROPOSED PUBLIC RECEPTION.

TALK OF A COUNTERDEMONSTRATION.

(Special to Times). AVELLING TON, Oct. 5

Very strong comments are to be heard on all hands here regarding the conduct of Mr. Keir Hardie iu India, and tho ideas of Senator Dobson, of Australia, are shared by many. The fact that Mr. Hardie is to bo the guest of the Mayor of tho capital city of the new Dominion and that the Mayor has arranged to preside at a public reception in his honor are also being very freely commented upon.

The “Post” in its leading article last night makes the following reference to the subject:—“Tho Indian issue iu fact is too serious to be trifled with, and the license which Mr. Hardie has permitted himself may yet be paid for with British blood. Consequently the spectacle of Mr Keir Hardie being welcomed publicly to New Zealand by tho Mayor of the capital city is not a spectacle which the ‘Post’ anticipates, with satisfaction. That welcome, if ■it is given according to present arrangement, will undoubtedly be construed in Britain as a formal ratification and approval of Mr. Hardio’s CQnduet in India. Mr. Hardie will come hot from what Britain considers the fomenting of sedition to bo honored guest of tlio city of Wellington We suggest that the Mayor lias been led into error in this matter, and that he should withdraw while there is time.” Should His AVorsliip not withdraw his patronage from the reception, it it likely that a counter-demonstra-tion will be arranged with a view to showing to him that New Zealanders or at all events the great majority of them, are still loyal to the King and Empire and hopelessly at variance with the seditious propaganda that Mr. Hardie has been guilty of iu India.