AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 212, 15 February 1915, Page 2

AUSTRALIA.

SERIOUS UNEMPLOYMENT. KKDUCTION IN FOODSTUFFS. By Cable—"ress Association—Copyrigh Melbourne, February 12 . It is estimated that five thousand Unionists mid three thousand non-Uiuou-i.sts are unemployed in the city. In view of the anticipated Inrytu shortage of supplies, Mr Tudor has remitted by £1 a ton, the duty oil bran, pjl-.'-nl, and oaten hay.

SERVIAN BELIEF FUND. GOVERNMENT HEADS THE LIST. Sydney, February 12. .Mr. Ilolmau has started the Servian relief fund with a Government contribution of £IOOO.

I USEFUL GIFTS. Sydney, February 12. Twenty-one travelling kitchens have | been presented to tiie expeditionary 1 forces.

THE PRICE OF MEAT. Sydney, February 12. Tho Comnioditiea Commission is enquiring into the price of meat. It was pointed out that over half a million carcases of mutton were stored, owing to lack of shipping space.

EXPORTERS LOYALLY ASSIST. DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY. Sydney, February 12. A conference of meat exporters .unanimously decided to assist the Imperial Government, promising., to hand over all available meat stocks whenever desired, thus ensuring sufficient supplies for the Allied armies and also safeguarding the supply for the public of Great Britain, both as regards quantity and price. It was generally admitted that the position will create difficulties in carrying out the provisions of the Act. The trade_ thinks that if prices are fixed on a basis of London parity, there will be no difficulty in securing outside supplies beyond those already stored. It is anticipated that the question of freightage will create difficulty, as tonnage has been exceptionally scarce lately, but the position is easing now. ilr. Hobnail stated that lie had been informed that the validity of the Meat Bill is to be tested.

TRADING WITH THE ENEMY. Sydney, February 12. August Blumenthal, Ltd., were fouud guilty of trading with the enemy by means of letters and orders addressed to Hamburg. Penalty was postponed till the conclusion of other cases.