Australia.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 287, 13 May 1915, Page 5

Australia.

U'UKK OF AUSTRALIA. BIUTAIN WILL NOT FORGET. " I-ondon, May li. lhc Empire Parliamentary Associawon gave a luncheon to Mr J. C. Watson, formerly Premier of Australia, in the House of Commons. Amongst those > present were Sir George Kcid, the Hon. I. Mackenzie, Lords .Sydenham, Islington, and Kmmott, and Sir Gilbert larker. Many inemhcra of Parliament were present. Mr. Mai-court, who presided, said Mr, Watson must be proud to be in England to learn the prowess of the Australians and New Zealanders in the Dardanelles. Though uuhappily loss was concurrent with their great achievements, ha could assure Australia that Britain would not forget her work. • "

Mr. Watson, in reply, said the Australians were pre-eminently a peaceful people concerned with the' development of immense territory. The present war was not the Mother Country's war, it was our war, and from that point o! view Australia approached iv. Ho was gratified that her troops had upheld tUa glorious traditions of the flag, and quoted Mr. Fisher's statement that Australia was ready to spend her last man and last shilling. Australians regretted the necessity for prosecuting the war, but it must be prosecuted to tiie last degree. A suggestion had been made that they should appeal to the better nature of Germany to Hiring the war to a con-, elusion. The sinking of the Lusitania was the best answer to the suggestion. It was impossible to bring things homo to a nation cradled in militarism without breaking the back of the militarypower. Any peace short of this would be a most suicidal policy on the part of the Allies.

He urged Mr .Harcourt to expedite an informal gathering of overseas representatives before the conclusion of the war. No possible harm and a great " deal of good might he accomplished by getting the mind of men overseas with "• rcsjlect to war problems which had almost arisen now. The statesmen of the Empire were not likely to subject the Imperial Government to any embarrassment. Mr. Watson will sail for America tomorrow. Sydney, May 12. Six hundred and eighty Rugby Union players and over a thousand Eugby, League players have enlisted. Six £SOO cheques were received by/ Mr. Hugh 'Ward yesterday in aid of the Belgian Fund, making a total of thirty cheques. Fremantle, May 12. Bishop Sadlier, of Nelson, who is a passenger by the Osterley, stivted that many prominent men at Home thought; the war would end suddenly owing to the economic collapse of Germany. It would be necessary to see that such a collapse was not a German Biibterfuge. Referring to submarines, he said that Germany had lost many more t'mn was generally known, owing to secret British preventive measures.

"HONORABLY ACQUITTED." CHARGES OP LOOTING FAIL. Received May 12, 10 p.m. Sydney, May 12. A court-martial to try several officers and men of the New fiuiuoa Expeditionary Force on charges of alleged looting has opened. Colonel Pntton was charged on six counts with stealing and receiving goods v from the captured (lorman vessel Komct consisting of n quantity of plated ware and other table furnishings. Three charges were withdrawn. Colonel Patton pleaded not guilty to nil the charges. Counsel assisting the prosecution admitted that Colonel Pntton had been. perfectly frank, and had given every assistance in investigating the matter. The value of the articles involved, which had heen handed over to the Commonwealth government, was Ids. Colonel Holmes, commander of the Expeditionary Force, gave evidence that he issued instructions to officers that great care should he taken to safeguard private property. Describing Colonel Patton, he said a finer soldier and a more honorable man never existed. Colonel Patton, giving evidence, said he was in charge of the expedition which captured the Komct. After returning to Rabanl the paymaster asked him if he would like a memento of the expedition. He said lie would he delighted. Later the. articles forming the basis of the charges were sent to his room. 110 made no secret of having them, and understood that it was the invariable practice of soldiers to take, away some little souvenir. The Court found Colonel Patton not guilty, and he was honorably acquitted. In the case against Sergeant Anderson the prosecutor said he had no evidence to offer in support of the charge*. Anderson ww hoaorably aoquittci.