Deportees' Arrival

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 204, 26 February 1914, Page 5

Deportees' Arrival

WELCOMED BY LABOR LEADERS. STATEMEXT BY BAIX. By Cable—l'r-'is Association—Copyright London, February 24. Mr. Henderson, M.P., and other Labor leaders from a lau*eh welcomed the deported men. Bain thanked them and said that acting - on legal advice they had refused to leave- the ship. The captain refused to allow the Laborites aboard. The latter sang 'The Red Flag." The deported men joined in the choru*. Later Messrs Henderson and Bowerman were permitted to board the Umgeni, and induced the deported men to land. Bain has handed Mr. Henderson, M.P., a statement reviewing the events. It states that the burgher force was composed almost entirely of back-veldt Boers, who in the Oermieton district acted like Bashibazouks, riding down and arresting indiscriminately hundreds of innocent people. When the deported men were placed on the Umgeni they were kopt in cabins with armed men inside and outside until the vessel reached the threemile limit. Then Mnjor Trew stated that they were being deported to England by instructions from the -Government, and that if they returned they would he arrested. The captain had been instructed to pay £3 to each of them on arrival in England. When the vessel passed the three-mile limit thoy would be free men. The deported men protested against the illegality of the act.

The statement adds: 'Tt is because

the right of access to all courts is denied us that we appeal to the people of Britain and the workers of the world to help us to prevent the South African Government usurping the, judicial powers of the courts with the evident intention of making South Africa a Boer colony, instead of British."

The owners of the Umgeni are taking advice as to their position. Misgiving | exists in Labor circles respecting the legality of contributions from unions towards the cost of entertaining the deported mcn.X The deported \mn refused the £3 offered by the captain. They looked tired and worn, but pleased to land again. The crowd cheered and accompanied them to the railway station, where they entrained for London.

The decision to refuse tiic money was due to the Labor Party's persistent appea\s and promises to see justice done. It is understood the deported men have made a protest that they desired to show respect to the Labor Party. DISCUSSION IX SOUTH AFRICA* PARLIAMENT. AN ALL-NIGHT SITTING. REWARDING LOYAL WORKERS: PENALISING STRIKERS. / ' Capetown, February 24. The Assembly had an all-night sitting. The Hon. ,T. C. Smuts, replying to Mr. Cresswcll's accusation that' the Government had ordered the censorship instructions to be burned, stated tiiat he wired to Pretoria on February 16 an order to burn a secret document from the War Office relating to certain matters of world-wide importance. When new instructions were issued the old document had to be burned. The Government intended to endeavor to trace who revealed the matter, and proposed to move for a select committoe to enquire into the source of Mr. Cresswcll's information regarding the burning. Mr. Smuts concluded by declaring that the basic guarantee of liberty was force. A Bill would be introduced providing special leave and extra pay for loyal railwaymen and fining the strikers I</ 2 days' pay for every day they struck.

A HUMOROUS SITUATION. HOW THE DEPORTEES SURRENDERED. Received 25, 11.55 p.m. London. February 25. The newspapers comment on the humor of the seven hours' parleying* resulting in the Labor leaders persuading the deporteds to obey the captain's orders, otherwise the elaborate reception arrangements would be disarranged. After comnliments and introductory speeches had been exchanged between the Lahorites in the launch and the Umgeni, Mr Bain explained: "We were placed on the vessel against our wishes, and we do not intend to leave until taken backto South Africa."

Mr. Henderson urged the whole British Labor movement was expecting the party, but despite the recital of the Laborite hospitalities, Mr Bain remained adamant, and Mr Henderson and his colleagues returned to the hotel chagrined. Later Khey returned and threw a let ter aboard the Umgeni embodying the argument, but the mission w s resultless. The Laborites returned to Gravesend in the launch. Meanwhile a number of journalists chartered boats, and secured'disjointed interviews ovct the ship's side. ' Finally Messrs. Henderson and Bowerman were allowed aboard in order to persuade Mr Bain to leave the ship: When the officers suggested that efforts had been fruitless. Mr Henderson pleaded for a little more time, and was finally succossful, and the deporteds left, carrying small handbags and parcels'. The. party is staying at the Grafton Hotel, as the guests of the Reception Committee.