AUSTRALIA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 126, 21 October 1914, Page 8

AUSTRALIA

KEWS I'ROM THE ISLANDS. I CARGO ON ENEMY SHIPS. Brisbane, October 20. Tho Canadian Transport has arrived from Ocean Island. She reports that while there a vessel arrived with provisions and ammunition for the Germans at Nauru. The provisions were commandeered and the ammunition thrown overboard. It transpired that the bullets were made of wood. The residents on Ocean Island have formed a strong defence force. The Chamber of Commerce, at a meeting of consignees, discussed the position arising from tho internment of German steamers at neutral ports. Legal advice states that there is no claim on the underwriters for assistance. The Government has refused to be a party to any proposal to bring the steamers from Batavia, and will not consent to lay a suggestion before the Admiralty. The meeting resolved to cable to tho agent of Messrs Burns, Philp and Co. in Batavia to ascertain the extent of the requirements of tho Norddeutscher-Lloyd and German-Australian companies respecting the tran.-hipment of the cargoes of the Roon, Stolberg, Luneberg, Lubcck and other steamers sheltering in the Java ports.

The postal authorities notify that wireless communication with Rabaul, via Thursday Island and Port Moresby, is open to the public for correspondence. Press messages are not permitted.