AUSTRALIA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 149, 18 November 1914, Page 5

AUSTRALIA

CANADIAN TROOPS TRANSPORT. INTERESTING DETAILS. AUSTRALASIAN RIFLE ASSOCIATION. NEW MACHINE-GUN. Received 17, G. 55 p.m. Sydney, November 17.

j The Sonoma's passengers give interesting details of the departure of the Canadian troops from Quebec. Thirty-one transports were required to carry the men, guns, horses, and supplies. The convoy consisted of eleven warships. The I embarkation of 31,300 troops and 801W horses was performed faultlessly. South African files state that at a meeting of Australians and New Zealanders at Durban, an Australasian Riile Association was formed. Melbourne, November 17. Caldwell's improved machine-gun is being submitted to the Imperial authorities. SHORTAGE OF WHEAT. GOVERNMENT PURCHASING ABROAD. Received 17, 11.35 p.m. Sydney, November 17. In the Assembly Mr. Ilolman made a statement regarding the wheat position. From information collected by the Minister of Agriculture, it appeared that the forthcoming harvest would be insufficient by about a million bags for consumption in the Commonwealth. While New Soiith Wales would have a surplus, there would be a shortage in the other States, and it would be necessary to import, probably from Canada. He announced that he intended to ask the House to-morrow to give the Government power to purchase the whole of the new wheat crop of New South Wales at a fixed price, which will probably be ss, in advance.

EXIDEX'S CAPTAIN A PIRATE. "REWARD SHOULD HE THE YARDARM." FOR FIGHTING UNDER FALSE COLORS. Received 17, 11.35 p.a». Sydney, November 17. Judge Backhouse, speaking at a public function, said: "We should not lose our sense of perspective, and should beware of making heroes of the Emden's officers. Using the enemy's colors when attacking was a very serious all'air, equivalent to a misuse of uniform. If the Emden's captain did this, lit; was no better than a pirate, and his reward should be the yard-arm."

AUSTRALIAN GIFTS. London, November l(i. Xfr. J. J. Garvan, of Sydney, has presented an armored motor-car to T.ovats Scouts. 'Mr. Coghlan, Agenf-General for New, South Wales, liae handed Count de Lalaing, tlie> Belgian Minister in London, a further £20,000 for the Belgian Relief j Fund. The sum includes contributions from New South Wales, Queensland, Christchureh, and Auckland. Count de T.alaing asked that his most grateful thanks be conveyed to all the kind con-' tributors to the magnificent gift.

POSITION OF ENEMY SUBJECTS. 'Melbourne, November IT. 111 - . Pearce lias officially declared that it is better for the country to allow enemy subjects to continue in their ordinary occupations. VICTORIAN PIUC'ES RISING. Melbourne, November 17. The Government has decided to advance the prices of wheat from L ls !ld to 5s fid; flour, 210s to 237s (id; bran, 118s to lafls; and pollard, 110s to Isos. MOTOR AMBULANCES .PRESENTED. Received 17, 10 a.m. Melbourne, November 17. Twelve motor-cars have been .presented to the Anpy (Medical Corps, for use as ambulances during the war.