AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 20 July 1917, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

“ GLOVES OFF” TO THE I.W.W.

MELBOURNE. July 19. Mr. Hughes, in moving the second reading of the Unlawful. Associations’ Amending Bill, which aims at the I.WAV. said the previous Act had been found insufficient to cope with this great menace, the larger portion of whose members were th e scon rings of Society and did not voice the aspirations of organised Labour. The lAVAV. came into being to defeat organised Labour. They had declared war against society, and the Government was accepting the challenge. The body was flourishing and funds were coming in freely. The organisation threatened to destroy the industry of the countrv. and stood in the way of the countrv doing its best economically to assist the war Therefore it could not be allowed to exist. The Bill provides for the prevention of the circulation of literature, and membership of the association renders' a person liable to six months’ imprisonment .for the dismissal of any public servant who is ° member, and the deportation of other than Australian-born subjects.

MESOPOTAMIA. THE MESOPOTAMIA REPORT. ARMY COUNCIL TO DEAL WITH OFFICERS. LONDON, July IS. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bunar Law said the Government was not proceeding further with the inquiry concerning the Mesopotamia report. The Army Council would'deal with soldiers in the ordinary w-ay. Viscount Hardinge had thrice offered to resign, but Ids offers were refused. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bouar Law said the Government was influenced in its decision regarding Mesopotamia by the undesirability of distracting the attention of the Legislature at this critical time from the prosecution of the war. On the Foreign Secretary’s representations, the Government had decided that it would be detrimental to deprive the Foreign Office of Viscount Hardinge’s services. Mr. Dillon obtained leave to move the adjournment of the House in order to discuss the Government’s refusal to accept Viscount Hardinge’s resignation.

The House of Commons defeated the motion for adjournment by 176 to 81. In the House of Commons, Mr. Dillon moved the adjournment. He drew attention to the fact that the refusal to accept Viscount Hardinge’s resignation involved the great principle of Ministerial responsibility and the only means the House of Commons had of exercising influence over the Government. Mr. Chamberlain resigned although he was not censured, yet Viscount Hardinge, who was responsible to an infinitely greater degree, was allowed to remain. All should be equally treated. Viscount Hardinge, because he stood well with society and was supported by powerful influence, was allowed to ride off in honour. Mr. Dillon learned that the Dardanelles report would be very unpleasant. Something had yet to be learned regarding the Gaza operations. Mr Balfour (Foreign Secretary) heatedly defended Viscount Hardinge and hinted that he would resign if the House disagreed with his advice to t&>e Government.