COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 64, 18 March 1915, Page 3

COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

SOFT DRINKS AND FRUIT ON SUNDAYS. United Press Association. (Received 9.5 a.in.) Sydney, March 18. Mr Black (Minister of Agriculture) lias decided that the public shall bo allowed to obtain soft drinks and fruit on Sunday during Church hours. However, the doors of shops must be kept onlv slightly ajar so as not to offend the susceptibilities of church-goers. SYDNEY’S NEW RAILWAY. (Received 10.10 a.m.) Sydney, March 18. Me Canu (Treasurer) states that in all probability the city railway will be commenced in July. MISCELLANEOUS. United Press Association. Sydney, March It.

Hon. Hall referred to the heavy increase in the price of books am. magazines to the Commodities Commission, which decided not to treat them as a necessary commodity. In the Hermann case an accountant who examined Hermann’s accounts said he had found that none of the proceeds ol the three Hills said to have been forged went into Hermann’s P r '* vate account. All were paid into the business of Earle Hermann, Limited. During 1913-14. Hermann drew £1649. though he was entitled to a salary ol £2OOO per annum, plus expenses; or approximately £SOOO, instead of £1619. At the time of the smash in August, the books showed that it had not been drawn, and there was a balance of £17,000 to Hermann’s credit. The case for the defence has closed. The steamer Chanda, which has arrived here from Calcutta, had two Lascars aboard suffering from smallpox. One has died. News from the Solomon Islands is to the effect that there is a serious outbreak of dysentry, , causing many deaths among the natives. A promising gold find is reported from the Newbridge district. The reei is twenty feet wide and the stone is estimated to yield two or three ounces to the ton. Considerable areas aie being pegged out. Adelaide, March 17. An old man named W. E. Scott, who sitting reading a Bible in the Burra district was killed by a shot fired through the window. There is no clue. Hobart, March 17. The annual conference of the Commonwealth Chambers of Commerce carried resolutions in favour of voluntary tribunals; arbitration for settlement of commercial and other disputes, establishment of wireless stations on the Solomons and other Pacific Island* ■ metric system of weights and measures, and decimal coinage; a uniform marine insurance policy, covering all risks from warehouse to warehouse; an amendment of the shipping law so 1 that captured ships may be moved from one British port to another British port without the vexatious delays that had recently occurred; and the holding of a conference of representatives of shipowners and importers with a view of arriving at a solution as to the non-liability of shipping companies in respect or delivery of goods except at ships’ slings. The conference protested against the increased light dues and double incometax, and decided to request the Commonwealth Government to open negotiations with the British, New Zealand, and Canadian Governments with a view of securing a substantial ieduetion in cable rates. It was ror-o! ved that, as the present time is opportune for strengthening the com.mercial relations of Australia with Canada and New Zealand, the Commonwealth Government be -eq nested to open negotiations.