AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1915, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

THE KIDMAN CASE. STARTLING EVIDENCE, Received Oct. 8, 10.10 p.m. Sydney, Oct. 8. In the Kklrnan case Edward Graham, telephone observation officer, gave evidence of the system whereby wires under observation werj tapped since the war. The lines wee under observation for trading with the enemy cases and other matters. Amongst others, he was instructed to observe the Kidman lines. Witness then detailed conversations between voices which lie recognised as Kidman's and Major O'Donneli's. Allegedly what was Kidman's voice informed the speaker at the other eiid that he wa3 shoving in a couple of dummy tenders "in your name," witli the query "What is your name?" Walter D. Howe?" The reply came, "That will be all right. Yes, my name is Walter D. Howe." The suggestion was added: "You'll have to feed me up a bit." The reply to this was: "I'll see to that," with certain suggestions as to how to act if any questions were asked, and the assurance that there was nothing to be afraid of, and everything was all right. Witness detailed another conversation between the same voices, when Kidman was advised that his prices were not in for the meat contract. He was asked: "Cannot you let us have them now, as we are fitting things up, and put a form in afterwards 1" The conversation ended by Kidman saying that prices were sent, and with advice to get the form in at once.

AUSTRALIAN ENLISTMENTS. Melbourne, Oct. S. During October and November the Commonwealth promised to provide 20,1X10 men, or double the usual number of reinforcements. Enlistments since the outbreak of the war have been nearly 160,000. RETURNED SOLDIERS. Sydney, Oct. 8. The Australasian Corporation of Publie Accountants has arranged a scheme to provide free clerical training to returned soldiers, SUPERVISION OF ALIENS. Sydney, Oct. 8. In the Council, Mr. Oarruthers moved a series of resolutions for the more stringent supervision of enemy subjects. WESTRALIAN PATRIOTIC FUND. Perth, Oct. 8. The patriotic funds total £BB,OOO. \ INVALIDED NEW ZEALANiDERS. Sydney, Oct. 8. Most of the New Zealand soldiers returning by the Moeraki are invalided, not wounded.

MISGUIDED HOSPITALITY. Sydney, Oct. 8. There is a great outcry against the number of drunken soldiers in the city streets and a strong demand that the Government take steps to curtail their opportunities of obtaining liquor. The Chief Secretary replies that the evil is primarily not dve to any laxity of the administration of the liquor laws, but to the misguided hospitality of citizens towards soldiers. THE KIDMAN CASE. Sydney, Oct. .8. In the Kidman case, Paymaster Dewitt gave evidence that ho received instructions from headquarters that no more of Kidman's tenders were to be accepted. After Kidman had ceased to supply the Liverpool Camp the Government had to pay more for supplies. He had known Kidman as a satisfactory contractor for military supplies for years.