AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 263, 28 July 1915, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

VARIOUS INTERESTING ITEMS.

(Rec. 10.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, This- Day. E. Doust, who was refused as a recruit owing to his big toe overlapping, got it cut off, and wiil reoffer himself as soon as it is healed.

At a meeting of the City Bank, the the chairman stated that the Bank had converted its bolding of British Consols into stock of the new War Loan.

Bishop Hess, of the American Methodist Episcopal Church, who arrived by the Ventura, referring to America’s attitude on the war. said 00 per cent, of Americans sympathised with the Allies, 75 per cent, of them enthusiastically. He says President Wilson is a courageous man. without storm or bluster; he talked straight, meant what he said, and would stand by it. America ’s position was delicate and Mr. Wilson was wisely endeavouring to use every possible means to avoid hostilities. The great body of people knew enough of war to have a wholesome dread of it, but if in the final issue the honour of America was at stake, there would not be a minute’s hesitation. If a call was made a million men would rally to the colours in a day. BRISBANE, This Day. A conference of sugar companies agreed to refine the raw material! for the Government. PERTH, This Day. The price of the four-pound loaf is raised to KHd.

MELBOURNE, This Hay.

The Broken Hill Associated Smelters, in reply to Mr. Hughes’ statement, says the company was formed only this year. The capital of £750,000 was suberibed by the -North and South Proprietary and Broken Hill Companies, and the Zinc Corporation, the object being to refine the whole output of Broken Hill. Under the articles of association foreign shareholders are prohibited, and no alien is allowed to participate in the management. An independent agency is established in London. which will sell direct to consumers. The Board has on a number of occasions refused business with certain. London firms, some of which are apparently approved officially. The company claimSflthat all its operations are free from German influence or control. On June 2nd they repeated to the British Government their offer to sell the whole output at such prices and at such periods as the British Government desired. Negotiations are proceeding, it being understood the companies offered to accept substantially lower prices than the ruling market. Mr. Hughes apparently believes the Broken Hill Proprietary and the Associated Smelters Proprietary are really the same company. This mistake is the cause of his having such^grotesque consequences in his statement. No reply is necssary to a number of his allegations.