AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1916, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

I THE REFERENDUM. POLITICAL SITUATION UNSETTLED. Received Nov. 3, 10 p.m. Sydney, Nov. 3. Though the excitement in connection with the referendum campaign has largely subsided, interest in the final result, which the Chief Electoral Officer states will be unavailable for ten days, at least remains intense. The later returns continue to slightly reJuc; the ''No" majority. Meantime the political situation as the outcome of the referendum is very unsettled generally. This particularly applies in regard to the" Common wealth and New South Wales Ministries. Rumours of all sorts as to possible changes and reconstructions are abroad. Some changes are inevitable, and others dependent upon how the referendum goes. Current political leaders for th-? most part maintain a discreet silence, awaiting events. All parties, however, are agreed that, whatever eventuates, there must be no slackening of the prosecution of Australia's share in the war. COMPULSORY TRAILING. Melbourne, Nov. 2. Mr. iPearcc has announced that the Government lias no intention of stopping compulsory training. Sydney, Nov. 3. Two men have been sentenced to six months' hard' labor for failing to report under the enlistment proclamation. Sydney, Nov. 3. Mr. H. L. 'Pratten, ex-president of the Chamber of Commerce, lias returned after ft years munition campaign in England. He says that, in addition to the immense new Government arsenals and over 4000 State-controlled munition factories, there are many thousands of others. Nearly 4,000,000 workers are directly engaged in munition making. One arsenal employs 30,000 women. The organisation is such that a shortage will never again bo experienced. Referring to the fact that during the war Germany was nominally selfcontained, Mr. Pratten said he did not think the end would he brought about by shortage of food, but by military operations alone. The gencr.il opinion in England was that Lord Kitchener's estimate of three years would not be exceeded. • PRICE OF WHEAT FIXED. Received Nov. 4, 1.30 a.m. Sydney, Nov. 3. The export price of wheat has been fixed. As flour, for the United Kingdom and the East at 5s Od per bushel; j for New Zealand, «s grain, 5s 3d. * WOLFRAM FIELD DISCOVERED. Received Nov. 4, 1.30 a.m. Melbourne, Nov. 3. Tho Director of Mines for tho Northern Territory 'reports the discovery of a new wolfram field at Hatches' Creek, covering eight square miles. Sixty-two tons, worth £10,400, have already been produced. ALLAYING THIRST. Sydney, Nov. 3. Tho Legislative Council amended the Liquor Bill to permit publicans to sell non-intoxicating drinks from 6 to 11 o'clock. VOLUNTARY RECRUITING Sydney, Nov. 3. A meeting of the Anti-Conscription League of Australasia passed a motion, demanding the cancellation of the proclamation, and urging purely voluntary recruiting. SOLDIERS' RECEPTION ASSOCIATION. Sydney, Nov. 3. A New Zealand Soldiers' Reception Association has been formed, with the ! object of entertaining returned New Zealanders who are passing through Sydney. I.W.W. CONSPIRACY CHARGES. Sydney, Nov. 3. The Crown law authorities have altered the charges against twelve members of the I.W.W. from treason to conspiracy to defeat the ends of justice and commit arson and sedition. POLITICAL CHANGES. Holmrt, Nov. 3. The caucus has appointed Mr. Lyons, leader of the Opposition, and M<r. Watkins, secretary, to succeed Messrs. Kurle and ITowrod, both of whom have h«en expelled from the Labor Party. DOMINION'S PART. AN EXPLANATION. CONCERNING BOOT CONTRACTOR'S \ | TIME. Auckland, Last Night. Referring to a statement recently published to the effect that a boot manufacturer hiad been fined the sum of £2OO by the Hon. A. M. Mye;s for n breach oi" contract with the Department, and the further statement that tin report referred to a boot manufacturer , of . Auckland, Mr. Myers stated that the reason the name of the 9rss had not been made public was due to the fact that one of the firm employed had used in the manufacture of the boots rejected, the justification for the riuc being that one of the firms employed has used shorter tacks in the heels than was stipulated for, causing the heals to become loose. The Minister said he had just seen Adam Moore, of Adam Moore, Ltd., of Auckland, the firm ccnce-ncd, and that it was Mr. Moore's desire, I with the concurrence of himself, that; his name should be made public. Mr. Myers pointed out that Mi. Moore had supplied over 30,000 pairs of boots to the Defence Department, nnd that, up to the delivery referred to, had given cvwy satisfaction.