Australia

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 211, 13 February 1915, Page 5

Australia

RELIEF FOR SERVIA. N Received 12, 8.10 p.m. Sydney, February 11. In the Assembly, Mr Holman announced that inquiries liad confirmed tli * existence of distress in Servia. He proposed opening a relief fund, and the Government would make a donation.

TRADING WITH THE ENEMY. Received 12, 8.10 p.m. Sydney, February 12, Lcrimer. a merchant, was fined £25 and James Railton, a seed merchant €2.")() for attempting to trade with the enemy. The French announced that future culprits would be imprisoned.

PRICE OF COMMODITIES. Received 12. S.iO p.m. Sydney, February 12. The Labor Council, complaining of the high prices of commodities, decided to •deputationisc the Government, poiui,ir.y c-iit the failure of the Commission.

THE EMBARGO ON EXPORTS RELAXED. Me:boui:u\ February 12. Mr Pearce, referring to the approaching 'arrival of soldiers discharged from .the ranks of the r»-;>.■.iilioearv force, =i-i.t.-d that tlie man of high spirit but unruly disposition often makes the best soldier in the firing line. For this reason onlc absolute wasters, with whom it is iui- ] essible to do anything, are being discharged from the ranks. Sidney. Februarv 12

Another party of German civil oli'.cers from Rabml, with their wives ::n ' families, totalling twinty-six. leave f-ir America by the V«'iitnr;i on Saturday. Melbourne. Februarv 12.

It is announced tlmt tlio embargo liii.men modified so tii.it it is possible to ship wool to America on certain conditions, which will be announced. The Commodities Commission considers the price of bread to' be not excessive.

REQUISITIONING MEAT SUPPLIES. AT KEQT'EST OF IMPERIAL GOVERXMEXT. AX EMPIRE SCHEME. Received 12. 8.10 p.m. Sydney, February 12. I On receipt of the Imperial despatch regarding meat supplies, the Government summoned the exporters to a conference .hi! secured promises that full supplies wc-jhl be made available for the Allies' armies. Mr Cann states that the Meat Requisition Bill docs not operate immediately. The Governor's assent is necessary, after which a board is to be -ppolnted to carry I out the provisions of tin j».ct. Sydney, February 12.

Mr Holman, in introducing the emergency Rill to secure control of the meat supplies in Xew South Wales, for the purposes of the Imperial Army, should the occasion arise, explained that Sir Gerald Strickland bail received a cable from the Imperial authorities stating that, in view of the largely increased demand due to army purchases by the Frencii Government, also in order to prevent an excessive advance in Australian meats in England, it desired to secure the whole of the Australian moat available for export during the continuance of the war and asked Xew South Wales to co-operate in similar action to that already taken in Queensland. The Bill introduced is similar to the Queensland Bill and provides for the seizure and compensation for the same by a Valuation Board having full powers. Where previous contracts are in existence the price paid, though usually higher than the contract price, will be absolutely fixed by the board, in order to avoid bogus contracts made for the purpose of obtaining a higher price. Mr Holman added that Xew South Wales was invited to show its loyalty to the Imperial Government in the hour of crisis. He believed the British Government was only protecting itself against emergencies which might arise in future. "We are." he said, "prepared to -rand behind the Empire with our i last man and our last shilling." -

The Bill was passed and the Legislative Council passed it through ail stakes without opposition. Adelaide, February 12.At the preliminary beariiiir of the Snow ease of trading with tlie enemy accused was cniuiuitted for trial, b-.il beinir jrranted in two sureties of Cl'ii'in each and a personal bond of a like amount.