Australia

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 232, 10 March 1915, Page 5

Australia

THE CHARGES OF CORRUPTION. EVIDENCE AT THE INQUIRY. Received March 9. 5.45 p.m. Sydney, March 0. At the Wheat Inquiry a witness stated that rumours were current that money had been raised in connection with the passage of the Wheat Acquisition Bill and that it had gone to the Attorney-General. Another deposed that he had interviewed Mr. Hall and members of Parliament, but on no occasion was any suggestion of consideration made. Other evidence showed that one of the chief movers in the direction of getting the wheat con tracts cancelled would have been involved to the extent of £15,000 by noncancellation. That money was subscribed with a view of securing exclusive service of a solicitor who was «;tpposedly in clow touch with members of Parliament, to see the matter through. The agreement as first drawn up provided for paying the solicitor .€2500. but this was subso quently reduced to CIOOO. The hearing is unfinished.

NO EVIDENCE OF BRIBERY. Received 10, 1 a.m. Sydney, March D. The general tone of the evidence at tlie wheat case shows that witnesses understood the payments to the solicitor were purely for professional services. There was no suggestion of bribery or corruption. One stated that he "had seen cheques signed for £3OO and £OO re. spectivelv, payable to the solicitor, and a receipt for them set out that the balance due was £240. PLENTY OF RECRUITS. Received March 0, 7 p.m. Melbourne, March fl. Mr. Pearce states that if recruiting !- maintained at the pretsent rate Australia will he able to offer the War Office another infantry brigade shortly. Ten thousand required for the now 'contingent are already enrolled, and then' are ample reinforcements for the next two months.

EXEMY STEAMWI R EQUISITIOXKI).' Melbourne, The Admiralty having rcijuisitioiied the interned steamer Alstona, tin; owners applied to tlie Court to fix lior value. An order was made for .CI 1 under Prize Court rules. A proelaniation authorises Hie local managers of tin* (ierman-Australian Steamship Company to obtain from their principals in Hamburg power of attorn-;y to enable fliem to sell funded stock to discharge indelifedness to Australian creditors, giving tin: creditors security over detailed ships. Tn reference to the circularising of English firms liy Standonberg and Co.. of Rotterdam, offering to facilitate trade with German manufacturers, Mr. Fisher stall's that eU'ective measures have !>e"ii taken to prevent eniiininiiieatioii. Adelaide. March 0. During the wool sales Mr. Kidman presented four bales of greasy merino in aid of the Belgians. Tlicy realised £7OO. • I AI'AXESE ORDER. Svdiiev. March <l. Japan has placed orders in Sydney for three million pounds of wool |o:is. practically the total mill output for 10M; ; i 1 -i, for five thousand baEs of sy wool.