Untitled

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 29, 4 February 1916, Page 7

According to information received in Stockholm from the iron and industrial centres of Germany, while orders for goods for military use have lately increased, those for goods for ordinary business purposes have diminished. The German market reports state that the building industry is very quiet, and that the very high prices foh foodstuffs, raw materials, and labour are preventing the establishment of new industrial dr commercial enterprises unless concerned- with the provision of war supplies. A grateful German, who was Recently allowed out of custody on parole for the purpose of visiting a dying relative, has shown his appreciation of the concession by presenting a paijr of valuable field glasses to the military authorities (says the Melbourne Age). The gift has bebn received at Victoria Barracks, and in due coujrse, such is the irony of fate, it may be the means of saving some Australian soldier from the bullet of a German sniper. The authorities, no doubt, would be only too willing to allow other Germans leave on these terms. The donor of the binoculars has at any rate the satisfaction of knowing that ho has earned the respect and esteem of the Victorian military officials. H e is now back in captivity.