SHIPPING TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1925, Page 3

SHIPPING TROUBLE.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] TO BE BANISHED. WALSH AND JOHNSON. SYDNEY, Nov. 20. Acting on the recommendation of the Deportation Board, the Federal Government authorities to-day arrostjd Tom Walsh and Johnson, leaders of tbe Australian seamen, pending their deportat ion. Later in tbe day, counsel for tier arrested men lodged an application with the Full Court for a writ of Habeas Corpus on their behalf, in a final effort to prevent their dcpofuit ion. MR lII!UCE’S STATFAI ENT. At FLUOPRNF. Nov. 20. Air S. Bruce, Federal Premier, bus made tbe following statement to-day regarding tbe deportations. "Tbe Deportation Hoard lias found that AYals’i and Johnson have lieeit concerned in acts directed towards hindering or oi>— strutting, to tbe prejudice of tbe public, tbe transport of goods or tbe conveyance of passengers in relation In trade or commerce with other countries; that their presence in Australia will be injurious to tbe peace, order or good government of tbe Cotnmoitwelatb ; and that, they had failed to show cause why they should not be deported. Tbe Board Inis accordingly recommended their deportation, and they are now in civil custody, awaiting deportation.”

Alt' Bruce added that tbe Government would be willing to pay the passages of tbe wives and children of tbe leporlees to their destination, and also in the meantime to grant them a sustenance allowance.

NOT A .SURPRISE. SYDNEY. Nov. 20. Tbe sudden action in connection with Tom Walsh and Johnson did not come altogether a- a surprise. Rumours have been current since the election returns shaped tbemeslevs towards a Nationalist victory of a probable early move

and that tbe militant unions were preparing for what lias now happened. What tbe intentions of the militant unions are now that tbe blow has tallen. remains to be seen, but threats fit a general strike have been freely made. Walsh and Johnson were quietly arrested at their homes, early in the morning, and tl’ey wore Dot It removed to Garden Island. This is taken to suggest that tbe Navy may be used to convey them from Australia. As soon as tbe Fit!! Court met. Dr Watt, loading counsel for tbe arrestees, applied for writs of Habeas Corpus directed to tbe Commonwealth officer who made the arrests purporting to be acting under Commonwealth law. The Court fixed tbe hearing later in tbe day. THE HIGH COURT. SYDNEY. Nov. 2!>. During the bearing in Ihe I* till Court of tbe application for writs of Habeas Corpus to secure tbe release of Johnson null Walsh, Air Lamb (for the Crown) contended the Court bat! no jurisdiction in the ease, and said (| la t. a- ii was a question of tbe interpretation of the Constitution. il should be removed to the High Court. Tbe Court, however, granted a rule nisi returnable to-dav. Later in the afternoon. Air LatVib made tin application to the High Court to remove into its jurisdiction the application regarding Walsh and Johnson. Tbe Chief Justice announced that tbe ease should be removed to the High Court, which would bear argument on .Monday.

It is freely rumoured that tbe warship Melbourne, will be tbe means of conveying Walsh and Johnson for a! least a part of their journey, as she is due to leave shortly lor .Malta lor duty with tbe Mediterranean Fleet. Tom Walsh was born in Ireland. Johnson was born in Holland. lie came to Australia from New Zealand in 1010 anti was naturalised at .Melbourne in 1913. MELBOURNE. Nov. 20. Tin- industrial leaders declared that if there is to be any industrial trouble over tbe deportation of Walsh and Johnson it will not likely be ol an inter-State character. Mr Grayu'ller c~eei l etary "| Australian' Workers’ Union) said he would not advise the members ol bis Union 1o take any industrial action in collection with the deportation. He said: -‘‘The other people have guns and bayonets and power. Nothing we could do would prevent deportations.” 1 ADELAIDE. Nov. 20.

A number of members of tbe crew of ibe Bn mi bool were absent at sailing time, and the vessel’s departure has been indefinitely delayed.