AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Taihape Daily Times, 26 January 1918, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

THE REINFORCEMENTS.

Received 9.40. MELBOURNE, this day

In the House of Representatives Mr W. M. Hughes said the Government directed attention without delay to the question of maintaining the reinforcements.

The shipbuilding agreement between the Government has been ratified, and operations will commence shortly.

THE QUEENSLAND FLOODS

12 LIVES LOST. Received 9.40. BRISBANE, this day

Further news from Mackay, states the town is wholly submerged, and a dozen lives have been lost. Three small steamers are ashore. It is feared B'owen has shared the same fate as Mackay, as no news has been received since Saturday, All towns north of E-ockhampton have been isolated.

A TOWN OVERWHELMED

BRISBANE, Jan. 25

The Harbourmaster at Mackay has wirelessed that disaster has overtaken the town, which was struck by a cyclone, tidal wave and flood. Fourteen bodies have been recovered. The bridge over the Pioneer river was wrecked. Hundreds are homeless, All the wharves and sugar stores collapsed Two small steamers were sunk] The town is on rations. There is only enough food for ton days. The relief vessel has been despatched.

THE NEW GOVERNMENT’S POLICY.

MELBOURNE. Jan. 25,

In the House of Representatives, Mr Hughes, in outlining the Government programme, said it was proposed to consider legislation. The Government guaranteed producers four suillings per bushel f<tr ithe harvest, which the Wheat Board has been so far unable to sell, It. was proposed to raise ja/foyty million loan, jThe method, was not- disclosed. . ■ I