Australia

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1915, Page 5

Australia

WAR LOAN BILL. VABIOCS .MATTERS. Melbourne, July 22. Air. Fisher, in introducing the second reading of the iWar Loan Bill, said:— "We intend to see this matter through to the last man and the last shilling. The estimated cost of the Commonwealth war services to June 30 was: Expeditionary forces, naval £3,399,308, military £9,400,367; other services, £l3s,loo—total, £13,003,835. The estimated cost per man prior to embarkation was £57, landed in Egypt £BS, cost of the first issue of clothing and equipment £23. The Commonwealth had borrowed from the Imperial Government to last December 24% millions, and baa also received 12 millions on account of an 18 millions loan, and £3,700,000 on account of an additional (i>/ 2 million loan. 'There was £8,(100,000" still to conn-. The Commonwealth had loaned to Die States .112,12.5,000, and had vet to loan £5,875,000. The position was clear up til) next December. The Imperial Government hud notified the Commonwealth Unit it would be much pleased if (lie Commonwealth could 1 raise the money to meet the expenditure on its own forces. It was dillicult to attempt to reckon the sacrifices the country must make to met the expenses. Assuming he war lasted (ill tin; e;.f of tin- financial year the rei|iihvments for war purposes alone would he forlv millions, lie was, therefore, appealing for a loan of twenty millions to be used for war purposes only. The people had conducted themselves with admirable courage, and their soldier sons had won the admiration of the world. The Government IV1( that ■-■" eh a people could not fall short of expectations, but Would respond to the call of duly and gladh provide the sinews of war which were absolutely essential to success.

Mr. Hughes, referring to tin- (ierman domination (if metal agencies, says that (•Vrmanv is .l,.ivin.q- spr-ltor iit fi!o per ton and Britain was paying £1(1(1. Kvcn victory would ho liain-ii if industry was ■ il!(nv.. ( | to full back into (ionium hands. ■.lt was essential tliat industry should lie controlled by V.ritish ami Allied interest,. Cennany pays C:,l for si»ellr)' and Britain is paying .-CIOS. Australia, was in. i:ct(er off. though si,,. Wiis (.In; second lji'gest producer of zinc minerals in the world. The ramification of Cermon metal companies was clear. The facts demanded action, and the fioverninent proposed to establish a metal exchange under Government control. No metals would lie allowed to leave Australia unless sohl according to regulations, and onlv registered members wouhl he allowed to 'operate. No one would lie registered unless the authorities were satisfied as to Vis credentials. • Sydney, .lnlv 22.

Tn tlie Assembly! Mr. Wade, in moving a vote of censuve witli regard to the Necessary Commodities Act, said he desired to show that members of the commission bad lost, sight of the purposes of the Act, and, as the result, bad caused a scarcity of foodstuffs by fixing , prices below the market rates, thus making it impracticable for other States to ' supplv the shortages. The debate was adjourned iill August 2-1. Melbourne, .Tulv 22. I Mr. Pearco slates that the enrolment ! percentages of tile Slates are as follow: Yidori> <Mi-J. Shmth Australia !).f>s, Wes-' fralia 5.05. Tasmania 7.71, Queensland 7.52, New South iWales (i.fifi. The aver- • are for tlie Commonwealth is 8.12 per, cent.