GERMAN TAX ON ABSENTEES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2416, 23 March 1915, Page 5

GERMAN TAX ON ABSENTEES

A BELGIAN PROTEST. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rcc. March 22, 10.30 p.m.) London,' Maroh 22. The Press Bureau states that ih response to a hundred applications made by Belgians who are residing abroad, the Belgian Government has issued to all neutral States a strongly-worded protest regarding the German proclamation imposing a tax oil absentees. The Government states that this tax has been imposed contrary to all the rules of International Law, and assumes the oharacter of mere spoliation. "We can neither admit the principle nor recognise its application. The sums so paid will bo reimbursed after the liberation of those concerned in Belgian territory." THE PRUNING KNIFE IN WEST AUSTRALIA CIVIL SERVANTS ACCEPT SHORTER HOURS. Perth, March 22. The Premier has notified that retrenchment is necessary, either by reduction of the Civil Service staff or reduction of hours from thirty-eight to thirty-five a week. The Civil Service has decided to accept the latter. This means a saving of £300,000 per annum. THE BALLAST TRAIN ACCIDENT TWENTY-FIVE PEOPLE INJURED. Melbourne, March 22. Twenty-five were injured by the railway collision at Ballarut, when an empty train which was being pushed by an ongine, was driven into the rear end of a picnic train. The injuries were mostly from shock aiul bruises. One, Miss O'Neill, has_ concussion of the brain and is in a serious condition. The colliding train was empty. CABLE NEWS IN BRIEF HURRICANE AT NAVUA. Suva, March 22. The steamer At.ua has sent a wire-' less message stating that a hurricano has been experienced at Navua. OBITUARY. London, March 20. The death is announced of Mr. Robert Charles tie Grey Vyner (uncle of the Marquees of Ripon), the well-known .sportsman. He was born in 1812,