6 OCTOBER 1925
Acknowledging the welcome of the Swiss authorities at the opening of the Locarno Conference, Mr Chamberlain referred to the services rendered by that country to humanity and to peace, and said that, once again, Switzerland was coming to their assistance. Opening the Conference proper, Mr Chamberlain suggested that no formal presidency was required, and that the delegates should meet on a footing of perfect equality, each contributing what he could to the success of their common object — the peace and prosperity of Europe. Discussion was commenced of the articles of the draft pact which were drawn up in London by the legal advisers of the Powers concerned. Agreement was at once reached with regard to a certain number of them; other articles which gave rise to draft amendments were reserved for fuller examination by the jurists.
The Home Secretary (Sir W. Joynson-Hicks), speaking at Liverpool, gave details of his powers in regard to the Communist menace to this country, and also as to his attitude towards members of O.M.S., whose services as special constables, engineers, or transport drivers he would be a fool not to accept, but in the moment of trouble they would not be allowed to take part with military status.
Mr Bruce, in an outline of election policy at Dandenong, said the Australian Government were determined to defeat the wreckers who would plunge Australia into chaos, misery, and class war. The Commonwealth Parliament would pass legislation empowering action against persons engaged by associations in propaganda having for its object the overthrow of the Constitution and of commerce.
A conference lasting nearly three hours, in which representatives of the National Union of Railwaymen and the Railway Clerks’ Association met the railway companies, reached an arrangement by which the meeting of the Central Wages Board on October 14th would take place.
The death is announced of Admiral Sir Arthur Henniker-Hughan, M.P. for Galloway.