AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2611, 5 November 1915, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

STAGGERING FIGURES FEDERAL''WAR FINANCE. By Teleeraph—Press Association—OopyrfsM (Reo. November 5, 1.25 a.m.) Melbourne, November 4™ ; The Federal Treasurer, in a statement on. the subject of the war loan, announced that there would be an additional ten million, loan next year. The estimated expenditure for 1915-16 was £64,109,000. The Government had raised £13,389,000 for war purposes in Australia, but still had to meet a deficit for the financial year ended June, 1916, of £23,779,000. The amount anticipated to accrue from Iho income tax was £4,000,000, but he did not expect that more than three million would be raised. • WORST DROUCHT SINCE 1891. TOSH FIRES AND LOSS OF STOCK. Sydney, November 4. The drought in the North Coast District is the worst since 1891. . Bush "-res are ravaging widely and much •Jtock has been burned. STATE CONTROL OF MEAT SUPPLIES. THE QUEENSLAND BILL. Londcn, November 3. Mr. Theodore Taylor, M.P., speaking in the House of Commons, drew attention to the Queensland Meat Works Bill, which gives power to the State to appropriate meat works and extinguish the owners' rights without compensation. He asked whether the Imperial Government had asked for the Bill.

Mr. Bonar Law (Secretary of State far the Colonies) said he understood that the Bill was intended to give the Queensland Government greater powers of control over the meat supply than those .which were exercised at the wish of, and in consultation with, the Imperial later had not required the introduction of tho Bill. EARLY CLOSING IN HOTELS. BILL READ A THIRD TIME. (Rec. November 4, 11.40 p.m.) Sydney, November 4. The State Assembly has read the Hotels Bill a third time. The Temperance Alliance, having declined as unfair Mr. Holman's suggestion that it .should ask for the withdrawal of the Bill, intends to agitate for a referendum. ALLIES' DAY FUND. Sydney, November 4. The Allies' Day Fund opened with contributions of several thousands of pounds.