AUSTRALIA AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2943, 1 December 1916, Page 8

AUSTRALIA AND THE WAR

MR. HUGHES ON THE OUTLOOK

I "IT LQOKS MORE DARKLY IN THE HEAVENS'* Australian-New Zealand Cablo Asaoclation. Molbourne, November 30. In the House of Representatives, Mr. AV. M. Hughes emphasised that the war overshadowed all other matters. The energies of the Government would be directed on' lines calculated to enable us to do our utmost in both men and products. He reviewed' the war, and said, "It will be dangerous to have an indecisive peace, which will follow if the Germans are not driven out of the Allied countries. It looks more darkly in the fieavons." Referring to the referendum, Mr. Hughes 6aid that when the result was N known he notified the Imperial authori-. ties that Australia would he unable to supply the reinforcements asked for, and suggested that the number of divisions should ho reduced from five to four, the fifth to bo used to reinforce the others. PROHIBITION CAMPAIGN IN AUSTRALIA

STATES FIRST, THEN THE CONTINENT. : By Telegraph-Press Assoeiation-Copyrißht Sydney,' November 28. As a result of a conference of the inter-State temperance alliances it was decided to raise the question of Prohibition throughout the Commonwealth. A council was appointed, representative of the various States, andl its efforts will be directed to secure State Prohibition as the opportunities arise, and ultimately national Prohibition. DAYLIGHT SAVING IN AUSTRALIA A COMMONWEALTH MEASURE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Melbourne, November 30. It is understood that Mr. W. M. Hughes is considering the introduction of uniform daylight saving throughout the Commonwealth. THE BONDS OF TRADE AND FRIENDSHIP BRITAIN AND RUSSIA. Australian-New Zealand Cabie Association. (Rec. November 30, 8.15 p.m.) London, Novoniber 29. Count Benckendorft (the Russian Ambassador hi London) presided at tho inaugural 'lunch of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce. He read the Tsar's message reciprocating tho promoters' endeavour to develop the trade relations of the two countries. This, he declared, would load to a further strengthening of the existing bonds of mutual friendship and understanding. ■ King George sent a letter approving the Chamber's objects, and hoping that it would be successful in drawing closer the bonds of sympathy and friendship, and assisting in the development of trade relationship. Lord Robert Cecil (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs) said that it would be essential, if commercial intercourse were to be close and permanent, for existing differences in regard to language, coinage, and credit to be overcome. It was of the greatest importance to British firms to have their representatives in Russia. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT. ("The Times.'') (Rec. November 30, 9.40 p.m.) London, November 30. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law (Secretary of State for the Colonies) stated that Mr. Asquith and himself had discussed with the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand tho general principles 'and best method of procedure involved in an Imperial Conference. It would be 'impossible, he. said, to make any further statement on the subject. /'

THE ENEMY'S PROPERTY IN BRITAIN VALUED AT 79 MILLIONS. (Eeuter's Telegram.) London, November 29. The Homo Secretary (llr. Reginald M'Kenna) has announced that incomplete returns of the enemy's property in Britain show that it was valued at 79 millions sterling. ECHO OF THE BOER AVAR DEATH OF EX-I'KESIDENT STEYN. (Reuter's Tetagram.) Bloemfontein, November 29. Judge'M. 'I'. Steyn (-who was tlie last President of the Orange Free State) died suddenly while addressing a women's congress. ' [Judge Steyn was born in 1857. He was State President of the Orange Free State from 189G to 1900, when it was annexed by Great Britain.]

CANADA'S NEW VICEROY WARLIKE NOTE IN FIRST PUBLIC ' SPEECH. Australiiu-Ncw Zealand Cable Association. Ottawa, November 27. The Dtiko of Devonshire (GovernorGeneral of Canada) made his first public speech since Lis arrival in Canada. Ho declared that lie came with the assurance of Great Britain's determination to carry tlio struggle through to the end, until it would never again lie possible for a small clique of men to force such an outrage upon civilisation and humanity. The spirit now animating the I'/tnpiro was ample security that this task would be accomplished.

ANZAC BILL PASSED Austrslian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rcc. November 30, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 29. The Anwic Bill has been passed by the Houso of Lords. COLOURED LABOUR IN AMERICA (Tlcutc's Teleernm.l (Rcc. November 30, 0.40 p.m.) Washington, November 30. Tlio United States Parliamentary Labour Party has adopted a resolution emphatically protesting against/the introduction of coloured labour, and warning tlio Government against the reported contemplated step. FOR THE WELSH CHURCH Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Hec. November 30, 8.5 p.m.) London, November 30. The estate of tlio lato Lord Llanga'ttocb, whose death occurred at tlio end of last mouth, lias been sworu at £1,100,000. Ho left £100,000 to tho Anglican Church of Wales to compensate it for its disendowment under the Welsh Church Bill.