Australia.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 48, 13 October 1914, Page 5

Australia.

THE PRICE OF WHEAIf. Q ! United Press Association. Sydney, October 12. In reply to queries respecting the price for the incoming wheat crop, the President of the Commission stated: “We cannot fix the price until the supply and demand are known. In any case, we have no power to fix a price outside New South Wales, although I do not see why wo should neglect the interest of the whole of Australia and New Zealand. 1 The Commission will respect bona-fide transactions if wheat is bought at a higher price than is fixed later. The Commission does not contemplate the seizure and holding afc the declared price.” OUTCOME OF THE WAR. (Received 31.5 a.m.) , Melbourne, October 13. The Government is taking steps to relieve the number of naturalised German and Austrian stevedores, alongside whom members of the Stevedores’ Association refuse to work. TWO NEW SOUTH WALES TOWNS ‘‘SEE THINGS!” (Received 11.5 a.m.) Sydney, October 13. ,Bulli and Lismore report mysterious lights skyward at night. As both towns command extensive se'aviews, various surmises are being made. CHANGING THE MAP. OPERATIONS IN NEW GUINEA AND NEW BRITAIN. (Received 10.35 a.m.) Sydney, October 13. Further reports from the New Guinea expeditionary force show that the force, including the Anglo-French naval contingent and half a battalion of the Australian military contingent, reached the capital, Frederick Wilhelmshafen, on the morning of September 25th and demanded its surrender by noon under threat of bombardment. No attempt had been, made at defence and no resistance was offered. After a little parleying the town surrendered unconditionally and a force was landed. The German flag was hauled down and the Union Jack hoisted in its place. A wireless plant was taken ashore, and means were thus secured of keeping in touch with the outside world.

One correspondent estimates the population at 200 whites and 500 mixed coloured nationalities, besides aborigines. The latter showed gladness to see the visitors, and readily assisted in the landing of stores.

Reports from Rabaul, capital of New Britain, to September 27th indicate that parties had visited Toma, where the Germans had established their capital after the capture of Rabaul. The parties secured and brought in stores collected at various bases and numbers of prisoners, and concluded the general surrender, which was signed by Dr. Hador, Acting-Governor. The work of penetrating the interior was rough and tedious, but everything passed off peacefully. Besides quantities of arras and ammunition and general stores, 480,000 marks in specie in buried chests were unearthed,. In one place the company was pleasantly surprised when informed that t'he tent in which they had slept was'pi tched over forty cases of bullion, which was duly secured. A SUGGESTION TURNED DOWN. (Received 11.5 a.m.) Melbourne, October 13. The Imperial Government considers it impracticable to adopt the Commonwealth Government’s suggestion that all copper exported to Britain and France during the time of war should bo secured from Australia. The chief ground for the objection is that the supply is insufficient for the demand. . BRITISH PREFERENCE. (Received 11.5 a.m.) Melbourne, October 13. A meeting of manufacturers decided to form a protectionist association with the object of giving effective preference to British manufactures.