New Zealand

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 207, 9 February 1915, Page 5

New Zealand

CONCESSIONS TO MEN AT THENTHAU. HALF FAKES ON STEAMERS. By Telegraph -- l.'cr Press Association, Oainaru, Last Night. Hon. J. Allen says that Mr Holdiworth, manager of the Union Company, has informed him that the company have arranged to grant return passages at single rates to members of the forces nt Trentliam visiting their homes, on tlic.r providing certificates from the commanding ollicer. He understands that the Huddart Parker Co. will probably arrange a similar concession, but be lias no definite information amout the latter company. TIIE PRICE OK WHEAT. Wellington ,Last Night. A Gazette extraordinary issued tonight contains an Order-in-Council by the Governor revoking the order made and published in the Gazette of January 7 under the authority of the Regulation of Trade and Commerce Aet, fixing the maximum price of wheat in New Zealand. The revocation takes effect on February 15. | TRADING WITII THE ENEMY! THE DUERKOP CASE, Wellington, Last Night. At the Supreme Court to-day Willielm Magnus Duerkop, a member of the firm of Duerkop and Mackay, Auckland, merchants, appeared before the Chief Justice on charges of trading with the enemy. The charges were as follows: (1) Being a partner in a firm of merchants carrying on business at Auckland under the name of Duerkop a(ul Mackay, on or about September 17, at Auckland, at a time while his Majesty was at war with a foreign tate, to wit, the Empire of Germany, did attempt to supply Custav ,1. J. Witt, a person carrying on business in the territory of such foreign State, to wit, at Hamburg, certain goods, to wit, 17 casks of casings; (2) A similar charge laid in respect to October 0, the charge reading, "Did supply thirty-three casks and one case of casings." (3) In respect to October '2B of "attempting to supply nineteen bales of sheepskins, twelve sacks of cowtails, and fourteen sacks of glue pieces." (4) On the same date ten casks of casings. (5) Of attempting to trade with the enemy by supplying Gnstav J. ,7. Witt and Co.'s Hanelmaastchappis, a German firm trading nt Rotterdam for transmission to an enemy country, to wit, Germany, nine casks and one -case of casings. Evidence was largely in the form of correspondence, and the case stands unfinished. GERMAN MUSICIANS. THETR EMPLOYMENT UNPOPULAR. Auckland, Last Night. The presence of (Senium musicians in the orchestras ef certain moving picture theatres is causing concern to the members of the Auckland Performing Musicians' Union. Many of them strongly object to the employment of subjects of enemy countries when musicians of their own kith and kin are out of work, but the problem which they have to solve is how to act within the letter of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. The judgment which was given in Sydney a few days ago, awarding damages to a subject of an enemy country for expulsion from a labor union, lias further complicated matters. Recently the Musicians' Union forwarded a letter to the Prime Minister on the subject, and it was expected that a reply would have been received in time for the meeting of the union which was held in the Druids' Hall yesterday. As it happens, Mr Massev has not yet replied. The meeting yesterday was largely attended, evidencing lively interest in the question at issue. In the course of discussion it was pointed out that until quite recently there were four Germans in local orchestras. In one case the foreigner saved further worry among his confreres by leaving. The other three, however, retain their places. The meeting agreed that nothingV could be done until a reply had been received from the Prime Minister, and it was decided to allow the matter to stand over. MOTOR. AMBULANCES FROM NEW XT'.'LAND. Napier, Last Night. The total subscriptions received by the Hawke's Bay division of the British Medical Association, with the assistance of the Hawke's Bay Automobile Association, towards providing ■mfjtor ambulances at the front amount to £3SOO. Six motor ambulances will be ordered through the High Commissioner, who will be instructed to place them at the disposal of the Imperial authorities for immediate use, but later to be attached to the New Zealand forces on their arrival in Euorpe. A MINISTERIAL EXPLANATION. Dunedin, Last Night. The Minister of Defence directs attention to a'mis-statement in the press last week in respect to the question of deferred pay. It .was stated that in eases where defendents have not received any support from the men, the men concerned lmve been ordered to sign a form, which was invariably signed. Mr Allen points out that no pressure was brought to hear on the men. They were advised to make provision, first of all for their wives and children, and then for life assurance and debts (if any), but no compulsion was used. FRENCH SUBMERSIBLE?. i It was in ISOS that the Schneider works began building the Laubeuf submersible boats for the French Navv, and a number of successive types were, constructed from that time on, such as the Nnrval, Sirene, Aigrette, Circe, and Pluviose. Following the tests made in l!)(ll t the submersible boat definitely and exclu-dwlv adopted bv the navy was based upon the Pluviose type, which was thin modified as time went on. We wish tn refer to two remarkable raids made during naval manoeuvres by the new subniersibles. Start from Cherbourg for the Port of Lorient or a trip of 283 miles without stop, then return (o Cherbourg in the same, way, blockade at Cherbourg for three days and three nights, then trip to Dunkirk and back without stop, making six days without landing. The last trip was made at an average speed of 11 knots. Second trip, made in the region of Brest and Cher- : bourg, covered 730 miles in 82 hours, i Quite a long voyage was made by the | Papin, and it covered the distance from ; Roehefort, on the west coast of France, | to Oran, in Algeria, or 1230 miles, in six : days, then proceeded to Bizerta, near Tunis, the entire distance being ISOO | miles, and this was made in fourteen 1 days, landing only twice. 1 ... . ::..r;n