AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 January 1917, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

CLEARING THE AIR. SENATE ON THE BOX SEAT Received Jan. 10, 8 p.m. Sydnej, Jan. 10. A feature of the gathering which firmed the national organisation was that no Liberals were invited. Mr. Cook, commenting: on the situation, stated: "We have to gird ourselves for a general election at the end of April, as the Senate at present controls both the Hughes and Liberal parties. It appears nothing can be done until an appeal to the people has cleared the air.'' THE NATIONAL PARTY. lIS CHIEF PLANKS OUTLINED. Received Jan. 11, 12.45 a.m. Melbourne. Jan 10. A. further meeting of the National Party adopted its platform. The clue? plwks will be to support any man or party prepared to insist on a common iplatfoW for winning the war and th> maintenance and solidarity of the Empire; an effective repatriation scheme for soldiers and sailors and their dependent?.; the settlement of disputes bv arbitration; the maintenance of a ''White Australia:" development of national resources; and absolute free trade within the Commonwealth.

.PURCHASE OF BABBITS. The purchase Commonwealth on behalf of the British Government of .Australia's surplus rabbits has been completed at 20s per crate for forwards. and 19s for best blues and blacks. The will affect the fixing of the price of rabbit skins. NATIONAL ISSUES PARAMOUNT. Melbourne, Jan. If). A national organ isatioii has been formed for the purpose of subordinating party issues to winning the J war and supporting in politics men aijd parties who, during the war, are prepared to make national >issues paramount. An executive committee has been appointed %o prepare a platform. DEAL IN RABBITS. The Imperial Government has decided to purchase surplus frozen rabbits in 1017, after Australia nrequirements hare been met. The details and price have not been settled, but it is expected the 4*a'- w ill involve a sum of £.100.000. WOOL APPRAISEMENT. Sydney, Ja-n. 10. ' The second batch of wool appraisements disclosed ranges of prices up to ?.7Jd for greasy. RATE FOR HANDLING WHEAT. Melbourne, Jan. 10. The contractor's rate for handling and shipping the new wheat crop has been fixed at 3Jd per bushel, subject to a reduction'of Jd on wheat shipped by August 31, provided 50 per cent. Is ah,ipped by that date. EXCHANGE OF INTERNEDS. Melbourne, Jan. 10. Regarding the exchange of interned civilians, it is estimated that there are 300 Germans over 45 years of age interned here, but it is not known what number of Australians over 45 are prisoners in Germany.

AUSTRALIA MUST DO ITS DUTY Melbourne, Jan. 10. At the conference concerning information of a national party. Mr Hughes reviewed the war situation. ■which he considered necessitates the inmost efforts. Germany is far from lining beaten. Australia must do.its duty along with the other self-governing dominions by political and economical organisation, through which the national will, desires, and ideals may be expressed and satisfied. Comparing the present warped outlook of some Laborites with the grand past, he said the Labor Party would never have won a majority befor.: the war if it had not supported a policy of national safety.