THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 83, 3 September 1914, Page 3

THE WAR.

IN NEW ZEALAND

EXPEDITIONARY FORCIJ,

IN SOLib TRAINING

By Telegpapih.—Press Asetii'iiifaon. Auckland, (September 1, The infantry in the Auckland mobilisation camp marched to .Manurewa, a distance of sixteen miles, to-day, tarrying out manoeuvres on the' way. The men spent the night in the open, and will march back to camp to-morrow.

NAPIER'S iPATRIOTIC FUNDS,

Napier, September 1. A total of £9452 19s has been subcribed in Napier towards the patriotic fund, including a donation to-ilay of £SOO from the Commonwealth and Dominion Line, Ltd. In addition to this amount, £1284 16s lid has been given towards local distress, Belgian relief, and ladies' funds.

INVESTIGATING SHIPPING

FREIGHTS,

Wellington, September I. Mr. Massey has given notice of his intention to move next sitting day that a Select Committee be appointed to enquire? and report upon such questions relating to freight and charges levied by shipping companies upon produce and goods of any kind shipped" to or from New Zealand as it may think desirable, or that may be referred to it, by the Government, the Committee to report within 21 days. The Committee will consist of the Right Sir Joseph Ward, Sir Walter Buchanan, Hon. D. Buddo, Messrs J- A. Ifannan, E. P. Lee, A. M. Myers, E. Newman. G. V. Pearce, G. W. Russell, C. A. Wilkinson, and the Prime Minister.

NOTES FROM (PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, September 1

In the House of Representatives tonight, in reply" to Mr Myers, the Post-master-General said . that in coding cables a special concession had been allowed to banks, but it could not at present !»• extended to business firms.

In reply to Mr 0. W. Russell, Hon. ■lames Allen said that where nossible, care would be taken to prevent anyone going by the Expeditionary Force leaving wives and children unprovided for, but they had to look for officers from the ranks of married men.

In Teply to Sir Joseph Ward, the Minister for Defence said that no nurses were going with the second expeditionary force.

In reply to Mr Myers, the Premier said that rents could not be dealt with by the Commission. The price of ilrujjs would be included in the order of reference. The Commission had been convened for Thursday.

TRADE AXD COMMERCE.

Wellington, .September 1. In view of the uncertainty tbat exists in regard to the market prospects for New Zealand hemp, and to the proposed closing down of (laxmills. while the. present unsettled war conditions obtain, the. following cablegram, dated August 28, received from tile High Commissioner, will be of interest:—

Flax.—Higher price not anticipated by ljrokeTs for some time. My opinion is that prices will recede, but not greatly, and if tin; war be not protracted, the trade recommend.-) flaxmills "continuing operations rather than to lose till! touch of the markets owing to the stoppage, of shipments. AH persons having interest- in cargoes other than enemy's cargoes, laden on enemy's ships captured as prizes, and requiring the release of such cargoes or portions of the cargoes, should make enquiries in Wellington at tile offies of the Attorney-General, who will require proof of ownership, and particulars as to freight, whether paid or unpaid.

Among tlie speakers of the deputation asking for tlie removal of duty oil llouv. was Sir .'Joseph Ward, who said the Opposition would do anything in its power to keep down the cost of living. Mr Massey, in replying, said he was pleased to notice that members generally recognised that the proposal was important. He pointed out that the export of wheat had been prohibited, for, as a matter of fact, there was scarcely enough wheat in New Zealand to last until next harvest. l'or some time he had done his utmost to encourage the growth of wheat on a larger scale, and his eil'orts had been successful. Wheat growing was not a proiiiable branch of agriculture. It was less profitable by far in New Zealand than in Australia, If they took the duty oil' Australian wheat, it would be only fair lor Australia toi take tlie duty off New Zealand oats. It had also been suggested that if the duty on Hour was taken off, tlie employees in our Hour mills might lie atl'ected. lie was stronglv against the exploitation of the public, iind the Government was doing its best to prevent it. That morning he had received a cablegram from Sydney, stating that the price of wheat was Is 9d "011 rail," wilrich meant that wheat was as dear in New South Wales as in New Zealand. The point to lie considered was what effect taking oil the duty would have on the production <>l Wheat in Xew Zealand. It was possible that it might have the ellect ol reducing it below our own requirements. A* to" tlie Food Commission, lie had arranged for Mr Justice Stringer to b" relieved from duty in the Supreme Court, and had urged that the Cominiss'u.n should start its meetings as »omi as possible. The question of the pi i. e of Hour would be among the matters considered.