AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1915, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

THE KIDMAN CASE. COMMANDANT'S EVIDENCE. Beceived Sept. 13, 10.15 p.m. Sydney, Sept. 23. In the Kidman ease Colonel Wallack, South Wales commandant, in the course of lengthy evidence regarding military contracts, said that Major Page's military career was without fault, and he knew him to be an honorable and straightforward man. Kidman's application for increased contract prices was not a solitary one. He had personally dealt with two cases, and if he saw injustice being done he granted the increases. He wanted to give everybody a fair deal. EMPLOYMENT OF ALIENS. Received Sept. 23, 9.35 p.m. Sydney, Sept. 23. The Government is subjected to continuous heckling in the Assembly over the employment of Germans in the public service. Inside and outside the House there is a strong demand for a clean sweep. j NEW' SOUTH WALES BUDGET. Sydney, Sept. 23. Mr. Holman has postponed his Budget till after the Premiers' Conference, which has been further postponed until September 27. . i-i DRUNKEN SOLDIERS;. Sydney, Sept 23. Mr. Black has issued an order to the police, stating that owing to the number of soldiers seen drunk in the streets and hotels the Licensing Act must be enforced with the greatest severity in Liverpool and Sydney. He adds that the number of drunken soldiers in the streets is a reproach to the community. THE MENINGITIS~EPIDEMIC. Melbourne, Sept. 23. Returns of the number of cases of meningitis among the troops in the various States are:—Victoria 65, South Australia 34, New South Wales 30, Queensland 14, Tasmania 1, Westralia none. Th" disease is reported to have been stamped out in South Australia. QUEENSLAND MEAT WORKS. Brisbane, Sept. 23. A deputation of bankers protested at some clauses in the new Meat Works Act, and wished an assurance of full and complete security over the properties on which they had lent money. Mr. Hunter replied that the meat companies could defy any Government Act. It was essentially a war measure; though there was a clause dealing with other industries it was unlikely to be used unless they stood in the way.

MORE WOUNDED RETURN. Fremantle, Sept. 23. A' hospital ship with 400 wounded men has arrived. SHELLS FROM QUEENSLAND. Brisbane, Sept. 23. The Railway Commissioner haa submitted a tender for the supply of 50,000 shells, and more if necessary.