AUSTRALIA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 127, 22 October 1914, Page 5

AUSTRALIA

"DIRECT INTEREST IN THE WAR." PREPARED TO PAY THE PRICE. THE GERMAN CLUB ATTACKED. London, October 20. Sir Charles Lucas, of the Dominions' Department of the Colonial Office, in the course of an article in the Times on his impression on Australia and the war says:—"Australians have a very direct interest in the war. In view of the German possessions and trade in the )':;- cine (Australia may well feel it is wortii the price to strengthen her own future position in the Pacific which she, rightly or wrongly, considers to have been insufficiently guarded in the early eighties, when Germany entered upon her policy of colonial expansion. I did not notice any adverse comment on Britain's employment of colored troops or Japanese) participation." Sydney, October 21. The Minister of Customs states that, despite the .proclamation prohibiting specified exports of coal, the trade proceeds normally. The export of meat is even larger than before the prohibition was issued, mostly supplies for Britain. Excepting the small island trade, no wheat, . flour, or sugar is leaving the Commonwealth. The Harbor Trust has taken over the Norddeutscher-Lloyd's wharf, the lease having expired, and in future it will be used as an open wharf for oversea liners from Panama.

Melbourne, October 21. The Rev. Mr Lynch, preaching at Williamstown Anglican Churcb, stated that ho could produce relinblc witnesses to prove that the receipt of news of the fall of Antwerp was followed by a whole nigbt orgy at the German club. • At a meeting of the council a councillor urged the closer supervision of the German club, which was surrounded by a high wall. Several councillors declared that many Britishers were members of tlie club and no danger was to be expected from it.

SPEECHES AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE. AUSTRALIA WILL SEND 2000 MEN MONTHLY. Received 21, 11.40 p.m. Sydney, October 21. The Tostmaster-General, Mr. Spence, presided at the opening of the Country Press Conference. The Consuls of France and Japan were present, and in speeches eulogised England's action and Australia's ready support in the war. Mr. Spence said that Australia was prepared to send two thousand men monthly as long as the war lasted. One and all sincerely hoped the end of the war would mean everlasting peace.