Second Edition CABLEGRAMS

Horowhenua Chronicle, 31 May 1915, Page 3

Second Edition CABLEGRAMS

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THE DEATH OF GENERAL

BIiWJGES,

Sydney, This Day

Captain Beau cables that General Bridges was wounded while en route to the firing line. He usualTy was careless of his personal safety to the point of recklessness and would stand m lull view of the enemy's position. He often was chaffed by the mqre careful members of his staff. The -first day a. niar standing alongside of him ' was shot dead. Latterly lie became more careful and consented to take cover when shrapnel was breaking right over ■Sim On the morning that lie received his death wound it was noticed that he was especially cautious 111 approaching the position he was to inspect, and "Tn accordance with -advice ran across the exposed positions. He was making one of these runs when lie was hit. The bullet cut two Targe arteries in the leg. Help was instantly at I Kind and he was brought to cover. But for the presence ol a doctor he would have died in a tew seconds so giiTat was the loss of blood. The general's first words were:— "Don't carry me down. 1 do not want any of you fellows to run into danger." His opposifTou was overcome. While the party was returning the Turks, perhaps because ot the wounded man, did not fire. C.iptain Beau adds that he has noticed, that while not always a scrupulous or -humane fighter, the Turk sometimes acts very fairly and humanely. General Bridges's last words before he was placed aboard ship were ."I commanded tlie Australian Division for riirie months and there never has been any trou/bles." General Bridges was an able and strong commander, wholly without fear. "Srigadier-General Walker, originally chief of General Bird-wood's staff succeeded to the command ,of tlie Australian Division. (Received This Day 10 a.m.) The Government has allotted a day for the discussion of the question of building prisons and houses for tlie increasing number of detained Germans. Two hundred footballers attended the memorial service' lor Major B. I. Swannell. The Defence Department is inviting teiiuers for salving the Emden. The conditions provide for the . handing over to the navy of all war material, money and confidential documents found aboard. The Government have the first claim to purchae the salvaged hull

The Hon. Mr Hagelthorn states that owing to exporters failing to supply flie amount of meat required to fill Victoria's contracts the imperial Government will commandeer all that is necessary. The Hon. W. M. Hu ghes. in a lengthy statement to the press covering the sugar position, states that arrangements have been made by which the Colonial Sugar Company will import sufficient to cover the shortage. It will 'be sold at £2o per ton. It will be imported from the Dutch Indies and the duty of £6 per, ton will b'e suspended during the import period. Summing up the position the Hon. W. M. Hughes declares that, the Colonial Sugar Company has secured the control of the market and Has prevented all effective competition, made huge profits, built up great assets, which are hidden from the pu'bffc scrutiny by means of -ingenious methods, and swallow the lion's share of a great Australian industry. it treated the grower, the distributor, and the consumer with contemptuous indifference, it knew of the impending shortage, no one else did nor could have known it; yet it neither took steps to meet it, nor did it disclose the information until the price had risen and tiie opportunities for securing freight become still more restricted. Then, when it did this it thought the country was helpless, and it spoke with an assumed air of great concern. It offered to come 'to the relief of the people, provided It could Do assured of its profits. Had the public liecn noti'fie'd arrangements could have been made for meeting the shortage on much more advantageous terras. The Hon. AA. M. Hughes alleges that six days before the company had notified the Hon. \\. Holman of the shortage it exported 3000 tons to Canadu. Mr Knox, chairman of the Company, promises to reply to the Hon. AV. M. Hughes's statements.