AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1915, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

EARLY CLOSING. By Cable—Fresa Association—Copyright. Sydney, Oct. 9. The Cabinet having deliberated on early closing, Ministers decided amongst themselves that hotels should close at 10 o'clock. The caucus was asked to decide whether the hour should be 0 or 10 o'clock. The Government proposes to open the hotels two hours later and close them an hour earlier, making the trading hours 8 to 10 o'clock, such amendment of the Liquor Act to prevail for the currency of the war and automatically to cease on the declaration oi peace.

TRADE WITH THE ISLANDS, Sydney, Oct. 9. The publication of Mr. Anderson's remarks to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce regarding the German trade monopoly in Tonga and Samoa has attracted wide attention in shipping circles. Representatives prefer to say nothing respecting supplying goods to the firm mentioned. They agree that if Australia and New Zealand refused to maintain supplies America would readily fill the breach. One adds that America is probably getting her share of the import trade. She is already certainly getting a greater share of exports than all the other nations together. For the last six months an average of one schooner a month has been arriving at Samoa from San Francisco, carrying 400 to 000 tons, and taking copra. It is fairly certain the vessels do not come empty. STEEL INDUSTRY. Sydney, Oct. 9. The Broken Hill Proprietary Company's steel works are extending the plant ( and increasing the output from 125,000 to 170,000 tons annually. MENINGITIS IN VICTORIA. Melbourne, Oct. 9. During the meningitis outbreak there were 447 cases. Eighty-eight males and 40 females died, METAL EXCHANGE. Sydney, Oct. 9. A provisional committee for the establishment of a metal exchange in Sydney has been formed. POSTMASTER AND RAILWAYS. Melbourne, Oct. 9. Mr. Spence, Postmaster-General, has given the railway departments of all the States twelve months' notice of the termination of the agreement for the carriage of mails, owing to the excessive rates.