AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 118, 20 January 1915, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

EFFECT OF WAR. ON THE POULTRY BUSINESS. Press x\ssocialion —Copyright. (Reed. !).5 a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 20. j Evidence was given before the Conij modifies Commission that the poultry | business was in. a parlous condition.' I Breeders were rushing their stocks on ' the market wholesale owing to tiro inI ability (.o obtain bran and pollard, j while other feeds! ntl's were at prohibitive prices. It was predicted that I in the next few months eggs would i be selling at. three shillings to three i and sixpence a dozen. On behalf of i millers evidence was given that there j was no local shortage cf bran and polI lard since the war commenced, but I admitted that although the fixed price was seven pounds, there had been heavy sales for export at eight and ! nine pounds. The commission is to investigate ibis alleged overriding of ! fixed prices. I SIX HUNDRED RECRUITS. i REJECTED FOR DRUNKENNESS. j (Reed. 9.5 a.m.) | SYDNEY, Jan. 20. The Reverend Mr Hammond de- ! clares that, since expeditionary camps j were opened six hundred recruits were rejected for drunkenness. j ' THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. , MOVES TO SYDNEY, (Reed. 9.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 20. | Mr Hughes announces that from j next week the machinery of the FedI era! Government will temporarily be j transferred to Sydney, where it deals j with several matters of considerable 1 importance. Mr Hughes stated there : is no particular reason for the change. MANUFACTURERS WARNED. | MUST NOT USE THREATS. (Reed 9.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 20. In connection with the Chamber of Manufacturers' decision not to sign the new clause in defence contracts, the censor warns the President cf the Chamber that they were standing on very thin ice. The Department would not allow itself to be threatened, and suggests that persons had been interned for making statements concerning the Empire less strong than the President's. SYDNEY BUILDING. TRADE. BETTER THAN LAST YEAR. (Reed. 9.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 20.. The annual report of the Master Duildejrs' As&ociatSon indicates that although the building trade has suffered heavily en account of the war, the year's output is an increase on that, of the previous year. Dealing with unionism, the report advocates concerted action among employers, and suggests affiliation with other associations. HIGH PRICED MEAT. (Reed St.s a.m.) '■SYDNEY, Jan. 20. In connection with the high-priced meat, the Premier ordered an inquiry respecting the suggestion that it was largely due to indiscriminate speying of females and slaughter of calves. THE GAUDIN CASE. MELBOURNE "ARGUS" CONDEMNS THE SENTENCE. (Reed 7.35 pin.) ! MELBOURNE, Jan 19. The "Argus," in a letter on the j Gaudin case, says that, having regard I to the nature cf the evidence the senMonce is aim'.'/.ing. Alter reviewing the l nature of the charge, the constitution i o ft he court, and the proceedings, it adds: "Public opinion in New Zealandhas been shocked by these proceedings, and with good reason. Gaudin acted foolishly, but his motives were not criminal. His actions were suspicious because among the friends for whom he sought to do favours there were several Germans, but nis actions themselves were perfectly harmless. i The Court was informed by overwhel- ( ming and unquestioned testimony of I two important facts, viz., that Gau- ! din's intentions {were innocent and i that injury had not and could not , have resulted from his actions. A civil court would have ordered a light punishment in such circumstances." Admitting that In war-time it is un- ! desirable that an offence of this kind | should go unpunished, the "Argus" ar:?vses that the Court could have met the case by imposing a fine of say, £IOO, but instead, three military judges, against whose sentence there ie no appeal, deprived Gaudin of his libI erty for five years. Apparently there is only one method by which any | mitigation can be hoped for, an appeal jto the Governor. This case shows i what may happen when military auth- | crities take ever the civil administra ; j tion.