AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2639, 9 December 1915, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

.— THE PASSPORT TROUBLE NEW ZEALANDERS DELAYED IN SYDNEY. By TelezraDh—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, December 8. Several New Zealanders who recently arrived hero have lieeu refused passports enabling them to return to the Dominion. (Rec. December 8, 9.30 p.m.) Sydney, December 8. The Deputy-Collector of Customs, referring to the delay in granting passports to returning New Zealanders, said that each case must be dealt with in a judicial spirit, ami owing to the largo number of applicants there must necessarily be some delay. Where there was no obstacle a. permit was granted straight away. If urgent circumstances were shown ho would take it upon himself to j;rant the permit immediately.

Melbourne, December 8. Mr. Russell, Acting-Minister for External Affairs, referring to the travellers' permits, se id that he wag not aware of any reason for holding up New Zealanders in possession of return tickets or permits. He had' asked for a report on the masters from the Secretary of the Department. He said that his was a commim-senso Department, and it was not its business to hamper genuine travellers, provided they complied with the ' regulations. There should be no causie of complaint. Tho Department was getting into touch with «owr Zealand, because at present they did not know exactly what the Dominion wished to bo done. PASSENCERS TCI THE OLD COUNTRY. PASSPORTS NOW REQUIRED. ■ • December 8. % 6 T Ml l ,ster for External Affairs (Hon. H. Mahon) bas notified that the regulations applying to aliens landing in the United Kingdom are now oxtendcd to British subjects. No adult British or alien male or female will be permitted to land in the United Kingdom without a passport. GERMAN SCHOOLSFOR GERMAN CHILDREN TO BE CLOSED DOWN. ■! By Teleßraßh—Presa Association—OopyrteM Sidney, December 8. Mr. Holman (tlie New South Wales Iremier) has announced that as there is no power for the State to deal with the matter, he referred the case of two schools in New South Wales, conducted by- Germans exclusively for German children, to Mr. Hughes (Federal Prime Minister), who suggested that they should be closed under the War Precautions Act. Jlr. Hughes decided that military considerations did not warrant State officials, considerine the' matter. , STIFF FINES FOR WHARF STRIKERS, JUDGE'S CAUSTIC COMMENT. (Rec. December 8, 9.50 p.m.) _ Sydney, Deoembor 8. The sequel to the recent strike is that eleven wharf labourers liavo been fined £8 each for participating in a strike on a troopship. Mr. Justice Hoydon said that it was marvellous that they should be such children as not to realise that their action was equivalent to fighting on the side of the Germans. ITEMS IN BRIEF. m Brisbane, December 8. The price of flour has been reducod 205., and is now £1.2 10s. per ton; -The reduction does hot affect the' price of bread. • ' BUTTER i SHORTAGE. ! - _ _ Melbcurna, December 8. The Minister for Customs (Hon. F. G. Tudor) is unwilling to permit the export of butter, as; there will shortly be a shortage in all States except Tasmania.