THE DEPORTATIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16488, 2 March 1914, Page 7

THE DEPORTATIONS.

ALL-NIGHT SITTING IN CAPE TOWN. GOVERNMENT • INDEMNIFIED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. CAPE TOWN, February 27. An all-night sitting was marked by obstructionist tactics on the part of Labour members. There w'ere many divisions and frequent scenes. All the amendments were rejected, and the committee passed the clause indemnifying the Government for all acts. BAIN TAKES ACTION. ALLEGED LIBEL. LONDON, February 27. The “Daily Citizen” states that Bain, one of the deported men, has instituted proceedings against several London newspapers for alleged libel, regarding his career. THE GOVERNMENT’S ACTION.

HIGHEST LEGAL OPINION TO BE OBTAINED. LONDON, February 27. A conference of the Labour Party and the deported men decided to obtain the highest legal opinion in regard to tho deportation. TO ASSIST THE RETURN. LONDON, February 27. At a demonstration hold in the Opera House the meeting pledged itself to assist the deported men to return to South Africa. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT. THE STORY DENIED. LONDON, February 28. At the meeting in the Opera House, Mr Waterston denied that the deported men were guilty of dynamiting or plotting to establish provisional government., It was admitted that miners on the Rand during the strike had spoken about a provisional government. BRITISH LABOUR PARTY CRITICISED. MEETING ENDS IN FREE FIGHTS. LONDON, February 28. The chief incident at the meeting in the Opera House occurred when Mr Waterston, one of the deported men, inadvertently said “ I don’t know what the Labour Party is like in England.” There were cries of “Rotten” from tho extreme Socialists, and an uproar. Mr Waterston attempted to right matters by saying that the Labour Party in South Africa was small but militant, strong and uncompromising. The uproar was renewed when Mr Waterston concluded, “If Labour members don’t play the game they must be put out.” Mr Ramsay MacDonald, in concluding the meeting was hissed and booed by suffragettes and the extreme Socialists. The meeting ended in a turmoil and free fights. MR POUTSMA’S INTENTIONS.

ALLEGED IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS IN HIS POSSESSION. (Received March 1, 6 p.m.) v LONDON, February 28. Mr Poutsma, at tho Opera House, said that if the Union Government knew all the documents in his possession it would have made a proper search before exiling him- He was going to use tho documents in the future, incidentally 6tatihg that ho was naturalised as a British subject in 1896. PUBLIO SAFETY. PROVISIONS OF THE NEW BILL. (Received March 1, 6 p.m.) CAPE TOWN, February 28. The Bill providing for the maintenance of publio safety in times of actual or apprehended danger, and which has been read a first time in the Assembly, empowers the police to arrest without warrant any persons suspected of treason or of inciting thereto. It protects workmen from intimidation, piohibits picketing, penalises any breach of contract involving danger f o the, public by persons in public utility services, and empowers the Government to prohibit and disperse riotous gatherings, and to remove persons convicted of sedition or incitement thereto unless born in South Africa.