AUSTRIA INTERNALLY.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1920, Page 2

AUSTRIA INTERNALLY.

(By Electric Tejegraph—Co weigh*. ■ •Australian d: N.Z. Cable Association) AUSTRIAN FOOD SHORTAGE. LONDON, Dec. Tile Daily Clironicjebj Viepjni opr, respondent states tliaf the’crisis t|',er§ is daily becoming more serious. All passenger traffic op the railways is nqw suspended fop p fortnight, owjng tj g lack of coal. There are great snow storms, which are blocking all goods railway traffic. Tiie country is manufacturing practically nothing, Tiie peasants are charging enormous prices for food. They are hoarding the notes received in. payment, instead of hanking them. Thus the Government is forced continually to print fresh currency. It is feared that the peasants will shortly refuse to deliver foods, saying that they have enough of tiie notes.

One hundred kroner was formerly worth eighty ' shillings but, is no\y worth only five shillings, A man’s suit of clothes which previously cost eighty ld-oner is now being sold for three thousand kroner. An ordinary meal costs from thirty to fifty kroner. Skilled mechanics are now receiving a thpiisauji krone;; mjmtjijy, wjiere previously they. were paid 12ty. The majority of other workers, however, jire faring worse than the poorest beggars.