In the debate in the Union Parliament on the Indemnity
Bill Mr. Creswell spoke for six home in condemnation of the Government. He was followed by Mr. Merriman, who, in a characteristic and brilliant speech, belaboured both Govern- ment and Labour leaders with equal zeal. He traced the whole agitation to the conference with the strike leaders after the Benoni disturbances in June. The compact with the strike leaders undid all the good of the Government's previous action, 'and stimulated the Trades Federation to further activity. Then Mr. Merriman turned on the Federation and vehemently denounced their tactics. The deported leaders were proved out of their own mouths to be declared enemies of society." He entirely justified the declaration of martial law and all the Government had done in January up to the deportation of the leaders, which was a "grave mistake," because it " elevated into heroes the sorriest lot of failures," and would inevitably strengthen the Labour Party.
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