New Zealand.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 306, 24 December 1914, Page 2

New Zealand.

TRADING WITH THE ENEMY.

Per Press Association

Welliutgon, December 23

A German named Henrich Wilhelm Magnus Duerkop, a partner in a firm of merchants doing business in Auckland under the style of Duerkop and Macky, was charged at the Magistrate’s Court to-day on five informations of attempting to trade with the enemy, Germany. Four of these informations were laid under the Regulations of Trade Act, 1914, and the fifth under the Trade the Enemy Act, 1914. The hearing was adjourned till 31st December, when an application will be made for a further remand until January Bth. Duerkop is at present a prisoner of war at Somes’ Island, and in the event of his release on parole bail will be fixed at £IOO. LETTERS FOR THE TROOPS. Dunedin, December 23.

Hon. James Allen informed a reporter to-night that he considered there was now nothing to prevent letters being sent direct to members of the expeditionary force in Egypt, and ne added that letters so addressed, would be forwarded, despite the fact that there has been no cancellation of the official intimation that such correspondence had to be addressed to the General Post Office, Wellington, by which it was then forwarded to its destination.

The attention of Mr Allen was directed to the cablegram from Melbourne, in which it was stated that arrangements had been made for sending cheap week-end cables to the Australian troops in Egypt, and in reply to a question whether such a reduction could not be made for similar New Zealand cablegrams, he stated that the Postmaster-General had had the matter in hand for the past few days, and was trying to make some arrangements with the Cable Company, whereby facilities could be granted to New land on the lines obtained in Australia. Mr Allen stated that he did not know what had been accomplished.

LONDON PORT CLOSED.

Wellington, December 23

The following cablegram was received yesterday afternoon by the local branch of a big warehouse firm in Manchester:—“London traffic suspended. Shipping via Liverpool.” This is interpreted in some quarters to mean that the port of London has 'been closed to shipping. No official confirmation has yet been received of the report.

WAR RISKS REDUCED.

Wellington, December 23

The Department of Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce has received advice from the High Commissioner that Lloyd’s war risk insurance has been reduced to £1 5s during the outward voyage from England, and during the return voyage from New Zealand.

THE REINFORCEMENTS.

Dunedin, December 23

Speaking to a reporter to-day, Hon. James Allen said the quota shown in regard to reinforcement was unsatisfactory, since it demanded a certain number of men from various provinces, without taking cognisance of the fact that an adequate response Was more difficult in some cases than in others. A very large number of men were clamouring to get away, and he had to go into the question of men who had been enrolled and passed, and then told to wait until called on. Many of these were extremely anxious to get away, and he had to consider the question. As the quota system had proved unsatisfactory, it was probable that there would be a re-arrangement of the system. The Minister added that the reinforcements who had gone were well, though he could not disclose their whereabouts. They had lost two horses, but that was the sum-total of their misfortunes.