AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2494, 22 June 1915, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

MILITARY SCANDAL OFFICERS CHARGED WITH FRAUD By Telegraph—Prose Association—Copyright (Rec. June 20, 8.5 p.m.) Sydney, June 21. Before the High Court Arthur Kidman, a contractor, Major F. W Page, quartermaster in tho General Military Forces of New South Wales, Major A. G. O'Donnell, assistant director of supply and transport, and Sergeant E. Leslie, principal clerk (acting under O'Donnell), were charged with conspiring between themselves and athers, between October 29 and May 8 last, to defraud the Commonwealth, of large sums of money by charging excessively on goods for the use of the armed forces of Australia. A point was raised that the Act under which the charges wero laid only came into operation on Slay 7, and that the prosecution was depending on tho Act being retrospective. Page pleaded not guilty. _ Counsel asked that tho indictments be quashed. Tlio Chief Justice stated that the Full Bench of the High Court had been summoned for August 2 to deal with tho question of t'ho rntrospectivo powers of the Act, and all tho points raised would be reserved till after that pitting. The trial was adjourned till August 9. Kidman was also charged with forging a tender in. tho name of C. Brown, to supply goods to tho military, with the intention of having the document accepted as genuine. An application to have tho indictment quashed on tho ground that the Commonwealth had no power to deal with retrospective casos, was refused in this case, and the hearing was fixed for tomorrow. ADULTERATED COFFEE FOR THE TROOPS. MAN" FINED PW FOB SELLING. SUPPLIES. (Rec. Juno 21, 8.45 p.m.) Sydney, Juno 21. Under the Pure Foods Act a man named Francis Boylson was fined £10 for supplying adulterated colfeo, allegedly containing G4 per cent. of chicory, for tho use of the troops, and £2 tor giving a false certificate therewith. Boylson, in pleading guilty, said that ho simply gave the order "to another firm. The coffee was packed in bond, uudor Government supervision. MUZZLED AND CHAINED BY THE CAUCUS. LABOUR MEMBER'S PROTEST AND RESIGNATION. Melbourne, June 21. Mr. Anstey (the Labour member who recently resigned his seat in the Federal House), addressing a meeting, explained that the resignation was duo to the fact that ho was muzzled and chained by caucus, like a doo: in a kennel. He claimed that the Government had failed in its duty of safeguarding the people by keeping down prices . Mr. M'Criath has withdrawn his resignation. Mr. Cook, commenting on the proceeding in the House, said: "It furnishes a painful Australian war chapter. Although smirned. repudiated, and insulted by the Prime Minister and At-torney-General, we try to do our duty in this crisis. As we have been challenged. we may call attention to matters of vital importance in which the Government has failed to realisoits opportunities and the responsibilities of tho situation." SERIOUS MEAT FAMINE. . SYDNEY BUTCHERS PESSIMISTIC. Sydney, June 21. At a meetine of the Master Butchers' Association pessimistic speakers declared that Sydney was faced with a serious meat famine. It was decided that in future retailers should not allow credit. It was stated that during th© past few weeks mutton had risen 100 per oont., and beef 50 to 70 rror cent. Many butchers had been forced to close. Mr. Flowers, interviewed warding 300.000 carcasses of mutton and quantities of beef in cold storage, said that that meat was held in trust for the Ironorial authorities and it was impossible to touch it. "THE THREE 'R'sV CLERGYMAN SUED FOR LIBEL. Melbourne, June 21. Mr. Alfred Farthine, a member of the Legislative Assembly, claims £5000 damages from tho Rev. Henry Worrall for alleged libel contained in the words: "I have no hesitation in saying that Mr. Farthing secured his seat by tho three 'RV—Rascality, Rum, and Rome."

THREE MEN IN A BOAT. ~ SURVIVORS" FROM ~A~ WRECK." Frcmantle, June 21. During the passage from Aden tn Colombo the Orsova picked up a crew of three men in an oneta boat fly ins the Russian Ensign. They proved to be the chief officer and tn-o of tho crew of the Russian steamer Baron Driesen ('1036 tons), which went ashoro near ■Gardauj. Tho boat, in seeking assistance, sighted several shins prior to tho Orsova, but all made off at top speed, thinking it a German trick. The Orsova visited the stranded ship and found she was in no immediate danger. Tho crew were safe. NATIVE TROUBLE IN NEW GUINEA. Brisbane, June 21. Passengers by the Marsina from Rnbaul stato that the natives nro troublesome in pnrts of German Neir Guinea. It is reported that they murdered a vr'bite trader. PRIOR OF CFT AFF IN WEST AUSTRALIA. Perth, June 21. The Control of Trade Commission )>vs feed the price of chaff at £14 per ton. THIRTEEN' AfONTHS' STRIKE ENDED. Sydney, June 21. After a strike lasting thirteen months ilte Whitburn colliers resume to-day. AUSTRALIAN COMMANDER IN GALLIPOLI. Melbourne, June 21. Colonel Legge's appointment :n succession to the late General Bridges, as officer commanding the Australian j Force, has been gazetted, with tho rank of Brigadier-General.