BREEZE IN THE FEDERAL HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2480, 5 June 1915, Page 6

BREEZE IN THE FEDERAL HOUSE

ON THE QUESTION OF MUNITIONS. (Rec. June 4, 10.50 p.m.) Melbourne, June 4. Mr. Joseph Cook (Leader of the Opposition) blamed- the Government for not increasing the output of ammunition. f Mr. Page interjected: Half of tou over thero ought to be shot—you ought to be interned with the Germans at Langwarrin. | Mr. Page subsequently withdrew his remarks. 'A patriotic spirit was shown by tho Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby League, when it decided to ! postpono all its matches to-day in order that- players might attend the Auck-land-Trentham representative match at Edon Park, which is being plaved in aid of the Hospital Ship and Relief Fund. In taking this step members expressed the opinion that it was only right that all sections of the community should combine in raising a substantial amount and they were going to do their best to increase tho fund. Though they might not see eye to eye with the Auckland Rugby Union regarding football matters, they were certainly prepared to support a movement such as this. An incident in the way of recruiting that is worth chronicling happened last week in connection with a thrashing 1 mill (Mr. k. Harris'a) on tour throughout the Maniototo Plain, Central Otago (says an exchange). One of the mem- ' hers of the team, being too old for service, spent many-of tho evening hours of idleness as a voluntary recruiting officer, reciting "Kitchener' Sits in His London Den" (which appeared in the "Daily Mail" before it turned against the Secretary of War), and inciting tho younger members, reminding them that "their country needed them." This was at first lightly thought of, but on a young man, who left, passed for Treutham, and another bade farewell after passing the doctor. Oil the eve of his departure a "sing-son?" was held, and he was presented with a substantial cheque for a souvenir. A further illustration of the personal interest'which the King of the Belgians takes in his army has been received by Mr. Robert Bums, of Auckland, actingConsul for Belgium, in the shape of tho following letter:—"His Majesty tho King has expressed the desire to know the name of the Belgians known to you who have left their wives and families, or who havo mado any special patriotic denial in order to give their services to Belgium. I would ask you to please, note every case which merits special attention, and mako it known to the ■Department of Foreign Affairs. It is desirablo also that you inform me of any special case which might have come under your notice previous to the reception of this circular." One indication of the relative position occupied in the eyes of the New York financial world by the -Allies and by Ger. many is to ho found in the names ol those engaged in transactions on behnjt of each sido. At tho end of March it was announced Hint French Treasury bonds would shortly be offered to American investors by Messrs. J. P. Morgan and Co., the National City Bank, and tho First National Bank, institutions of long-established and firstrato standing. About tho same time it. was announced that German Treasury r.otes, with nine months' currency, would be offered by Chandler and Co., and hv a number of banks and trust companies in various cities, "The Times" correspondent remarking that "tho names of Now York hanking houses are conspicuously absent from tho list."