COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 48, 27 February 1915, Page 6

COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

SHORTAGE OF CEMENT.

(Received 10.20 a.m.) Melbourne, February -7

The Home Affairs Department express ' anxiety at the possible shortage of cement owing to stoppages of supplies from Germany. Negotiations are proceeding for the purchase of ai quantity from New Zealand.

THE PRICE OF SUGAR.

(Received 10.20 a.m.) Brisbane, February 27.

Mr Denham, premier, speaking to the delegates at the half-yearly meeting of the Australian Sugar Producers’ Association, expressed disappointment at the manner in which the other States treated the industry. As the New South Wales commission had not announced the price, he thought the Colonial Sugar Company’s shodld imemdiatdy declare prices not .less than £23 per ton. He believed £25 was ai fair tiling, but one could quibble at £23. Even Mr Fisher recognised that as a fair price. At a council meeting the association gave the executive power to take any steps, judicial or otherwise, to secure the increased price, and instructed them to press for an increase of the duty to £7 per ton.

TRANS-AUSTRALIAN RAILWAY.

(Received 10.20 a.m.) Brisbane, February 27. .Mr Fisher states that the strategic railway from Brisbane to Port Augusta will cost six and a-half millions.

BRAN, POLLARD, OATEN STRAW.

Melbourne, February 27

The Federal Cabinet decided to extend the concession respecting bran, pollard, and oaton straw, to private persons.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Sydney, February 20

A proclamation authorised the seizure of 690 bags of flour awaiting shipment to Melbourne. Tho owner had refused to sell. Hie news-vendors have resumed the sale of the evening editions, having capitulated on the proprietors’ terms. The Commission refused the Association’s application to declare that newspapers were a necessary commodity. . A Labor Council deputation protested that the Commodities Commission has failed to regulate prices, and pointed to many instances where regulation was urgently needed. Mr Hall would not agree that the Commission had failed, saying that it had carried out its work promptly and well.

Adelaide, February 26

Renouf, a Fenchman, was fined -£6 for aatempting to trade with the enemy on November 12th. He sent an order to a Turkish subject in Smyrna for a continual sxipply of olive oil, and requested that the oil be marked, “Made in France.” The case goes to the Supremo Court.