Australia

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 5, 8 April 1916, Page 5

Australia

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. YOUNG HUGHES ENLISTS, [Umitid Fun Anooutiow.l Sydney, April 7. Mr Hughes' son has enlisted. The Postmaster-General, with a view to effecting economy during the war, has asked the municipal councils and kindred bodies to curtail their demands on the postal, telegraphic, and telephonic facilities. TASMANIAN DEMAND FOR COMPULSORY SERVICE. Hobart, April 7.

The Tasmanian\ War Council passed a motion urging the Commonwealth to adopt some form of compulsory service. PEPPER EXPORT PROHIBITED. Melbourne, April 7. The export of pepper capsicums has been prohibited without the consent of the Minister. WAR; AND LIFE INSURANCE. Sydney, April 7. The Morning Herald, in a special article dealing with the effect of the war on life insurance offices, states that one Australian office has already paid £53,000 on deceased soldiers' claims. Despite the fact that it did new war business, one important office is issuing, new risk policies at five per cent, additional, which is probably the lowest rate of the kind accepted in the world. Others ask ten per cent., while some are refusing this class of risk. AUSTRALIA'S SHARE. (Received 8.55 a.m.) Melbourne, April 8. Senator Pearce (Minister of Defence) expressed the opinion that Australia would produce sufficient to enable him to supply an additional division.

A COALINC BATTALION. (Received 8.55 a.m.) Melbourne, April 8. The Defence authorities are forming a naval coaling battalion for coaling transports. Mr Jensen states that this action was due to the way in which the transports were delayed by labor troubles. Three hundred were sworn in for coaling in a week. They will wear a distinctive uniform and receive union pay. The authorities are appealing for more men. NATURALISED SUBJECTS' FRANCHISE. (Received 10.10 a.m.) Sydney, April 8. The Council decided not to insist on an amendment of the Naturalised Subjects' Franchise Bill, and disagreed with the Assembly for making the disfranchisement permanent. WARNING TO SHIRKERS. (Received 10.10 a.m.) Melbourne, April 8. The War Council urges the Commonwealth to prosecute offenders giving insulting and evasive replies to tne war census.