AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1915, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

EARLY CLOSING. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, Oct; IG. In connection with the movement for earlier closing, Mr. Fitzgerald received a deputation from the Licensed Victuallers' Association, who pointed out that any interference would mean serious loss to hotelkeepers and put out of employment fully three thousand of the fifteen thousand trade employees. They advocated continuance of the present conditions with strict supervision, the reduction of the alcoholic strength of drink, and the introduction of light wines and beers. Mr. Fitzgerald promised that the Cabinet would consider the matter. He resented the attempts in some quarters to brand soldiers as drunkards as a class. He believed that if there were wet canteens excessive drinking among the few soldiers would disappear. NEW SOUTH WALES WHEAT. Sydney, Oct. 18. Mr. Grahame states that the Government has arranged with the railways to issue certificates for farmers' wheat delivered on the railway premises. The 'banks have consented to make advances against the certificates so as to relieve the farmers of financial strain; Mr. Grahame stressed the fact that though the Government was guaranteeing 4s per bushel it would not pay the difference between that and the ruling price, but would pay the\ guaranteed price provided notice was given before December 1, when it would take over and handle the wheat.