AUSTRALIA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 167, 21 December 1914, Page 5

AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALAKIAX DEFENCE. A MINISTERS' CONFERENCE. Received '2ll, 5.5 p.m. , Melbourne, December 20. Mr Fisher sails for New Zealand on Thursday to consult the Dominion (ioi- , eminent on defence and other matter, i and to pusli proposals for co-operating in regard to a local navy. THE WAR FUND. Received 20, 5.10 p.m. Sydney, December 20. The war fund now amounts to £1,015,000. ■ .SEIZURE OF WHEAT. Sydney, December 19. A proclamation lias been issued seizing all the wheat in the southern Riverina not in actual transit. Mr. Asliford estimates that in Xew South Wales the next year's wheat yield will be 50,000,000 bushels. The additional SOO,OOO acres sown will prod:i. 000,000 bushels. BUTTER RISES IX PRICE. BELGIAN RELTEF FUNDS. Received 20, 5.10 p.m. Sydney, December 20. Butter advances 4s to-morrow; select, ed brands, 112s j second qualities, 102s and 104s. The Belgian Consul has remitted, free of exchange, a further £20,000 for the relief of Belgians from Xew South Wales, Auckland, and Christclrarch. MORE LAUXCIIIXGS PROMISED. Received 21, 12.10 p.m. Sydney, December 20. The Derwent is the first warship com-' pletely constructed m Australia. It is officially stated that this would be the forerunner of many such launchings of ships of the Australian navy. The Government intends to continue the industry. ■» • INCREASING THE NOTE ISSUE. STATE BOYCOTT OF ENEMY WORKERS. Received 21, 12.10 a.m. Melbourne, -December 20. The Governor-General has approved an order, authorising an increase of the Australian note issue to twenty millions, instead of sixteen millions. Mr. Pearce states that all firms contracting with the Defence Department Will be required to sign a declaration ■thai no one connected with the business is an enemy subject, and that the goods -clientv country.