DEPORTATION OF IRISH ENVOYS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1923, Page 3

DEPORTATION OF IRISH ENVOYS.

A HURRIED DEPARTURE. SYDNEY, July 19. The Federal authorities having decided io deport the Irish envoys, Father O’Flanagan and Mr O’Kelly, at 9 o’clock in the morning, three officers oi the Federal Attorney-General’s Department, accompanied by police otfieers, presented an order signed by the .Minister of Home and Territories, to Mr Steele, superintendent of the Long Bay penitentiary, authorising the removal of the delegates. At the reque-t of the visitors the envoys promptly collected their belongings, and after -x----pressing to the .superintendent Mieir satisfaction with the prison arrange trouts, left in motor ears. They were driven direct to the R. and O. A\ ha -f, ( ir- ular Quay, and, unknown even to persons working there, they were placj I on the vessel. Oiling: to Lin- strong westerly wind which was blowing the Mongolia which slipped Iter moorings punctually at noon, was obliged to remain at the wharf until the turn of the tide, and as a result the vessel did not leave until half-past 4. During the intervening period repeated efforts were made by friends who had learned of the departure of the delegates to visit them on hoard. The delegates, however, who occupied two berths in a first-class compartment., were kepi in llieir cabin under strict surveillance. Two Federal officials accompanied the envoys to F roinant le. The decision of the Federal Government was prompt. On the previous Thursday Father O’Flanagan and Air O’Kelly were informed that a definite reply to the Government terms would he required before 3 o’clock the following afternoon. If this was not lortlieonting they were asked to consider the question of voluntary departure an impossibility. No communication was received by the Federal authorities up to the time specified, hut half-an-hour later a telegram was dispatched by the counsel for the envoys intimating that they would not sign the undertaking in its present form. In essence the dele-

gates indicated that they would go no further than to agree that they would depaH by a certain date. They pointed out that they desired to visit friends and relatives in Victoria and Queensland la-fore sailing, and. although signifying their agreement to address no nubile meetings, refused to refrain front attending meeting;' sympathetic to their cause.

Reloi't- those who had eseurled them to tho vessel had left, the (lologales thanked them lor the treatment they bad received. During their negotiations the delegates had expressed objection to anything that might humiliate them. In eon-oquenoe. Hie Federal authorities in Sydney were instructed to refrain from doing anything which might impair the dignity of the deportees. Xoi withstanding the strict official s-.- recy observed, the news of the deportation rapidly spread, and by mid-day a moderately large group had assembled on the wharf io say goodlive. Sonu- friends managed io reach the cabin of the envoys, hut were prevented from conversing with them. As the Customs authorities ordered them hack one of tin- envoys shouted, "(foodbye and God bless you.'' The decision of the E. and O. Company to take the delegates solved a difficult problem for the Federal Government. Some time ago the American Government was asked as to whet In'r it would raise any objection to the delegates travelling through its territory, on a traveller's transit visa. A non-committal reply was received, in which Hie American Government indicated that it would prefer Hie delagales to take another route. Its objection was that the passage of the deportees through America might lend to untoward events similar to recent proceedings in Australia. The I*, and O. Company relieved the position by agreeing t i carry the envoys as passenger' oil the vessel.