Australia

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 197, 28 January 1915, Page 5

Australia

TROUBLE WITH DEFENCE CONTRACTS. REGULATING SUGAR MARKET. SHORTAGE OF WHEAT IN VICTORIA. Melbourne, January 27. Victorian manufacturers arc still refusing to sign the Defence Department {contracts containing objectionable- | clauses. Manfacturers of other Stales are in sympathy. (A cable from Melbourne, dated January 15, said that the Defence Department has inserted a new clause in the contract form, permitting persons authorised by any trade union to interview contractors and employees. Tlw Victorian Chamber of Manufacturers takes this as an indication of the enforcement of preference to unionists. One firm, which is doing all in its power to assist the department, strongly resents this action, and urges manufacturers not to sign contracts containing the clause, pending an action for its removal.) Melbourne, January 27. The Prices of Goods Board refuses to sanction an increase in the price for sugar from £2l 5s to £23. Metropolitan flourmfllers are feeling the lack of grain from the country considerably. It is stated that unless some means are adopted to assure early supplies they will be forced to close down, as the reserve 6tocks are almost exhausted. Mr Hughes, referring to enemy trade marks, pointed out that the trade mark was frequently the public's only guarantee of purity, especially in the case of drugs. He was endeavoring to find means of safeguarding public interests. Sydney, January 27. A member of the expeditionary force writing home says he is having a great time in Egypt. The desert where he is camped is bitterly cold at night. There were several accidents while the troops were exploring the Pyramids. Christmas Eve wag kept very quietly. RETURNED FROM RIBAUL. Received 27, 9.20 pjn. Sydney, January 27. The second detachment of the expeditionary force to Rabanl has returned, before the expiry of its time, owing to an outbreak of malarial fever. PROTECTION OF ALIENS. Received 27, 10.2S plm. Sydney, January 27. The Court granted an interim injunction restraining the Wharf Labourers' Union from interfering with a wharf labourer named Neilsen, a naturalised German, and preventing his obtaining employment, pending an action for £l5O damages being taken in the matter. It is stated that nearly two hundred naturalised aliens will be effected by the result of the action. ! THE PRICE OF MEAT. j Received 27, 10.25 p.m. I Sydney, January 27. The inquiry into the increased price of meat was continued to-day. Evidnece on behalf of the pastoralißts i claimed that the increase was largely I due to the absorption of pastoral lands for dairying purposes, the increased percentage of animals suffering from tuberculosis and war demands, and added that the cost of running stations was forty per cent, above the cost of ten years ago. It was a fact that the Australian Meat Company was financed from the United States. "T