AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1917, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

MILITARY DEFALCATIONS. JSVIDENCE AT PRICE'S TRIAL. fOOSfi DEPARTMENTAL METHODS. Received Feb. 7, 8.55 p.m. Sydney, Feb. 7. ' In the case of lieutenant Howell Price, who is charged with committing serious defalcations of military money, ' evidence was given that accused owned racehorse?, and betted heavily. He had Recounts at different banks in various fames. He forged the signature of his lommandiD" officer to some pay lists. Accused's bare word was often taken an connection with these lists, because le occupied a highly responsible position. As illustrative of the alleged looseness of departmental methods, it was stated that at the recent inquiry St was discovered that one paymaster had iOjOOO sovereigns in his and Jttas unable to say where the money had fcome from, CLOSE OF WAR LOAN. 1 PASSPORT RESTRICTION'S. Received Feb. 7, 8.50 p.m. Melbourne, Feb. 7. The War Loan closes to morrow. The prohibition of -assports tj women md children does not apply to New Zealand, South Africa, India, or the East. It applies only to Mediterranean and European ports. IHE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT PROJECT. Received Feb. 8, 12.55 a.m. Melbourne, Feb. 7. Mr. Tudor informed Mr. Hughes that Mr. Cook and the Official Labor Party lad decided that they were unable t» icnfer with a view to forming a Nation- • >1 Government. Mr. Hughes, after conferring with Mr. .Took, stated that the way was now clear 'Or the formation of a National Government composed of Ministerialists and liberals. He is awaiting the Liberals' AMERICAN CONSUL ADVISED OF RUPTURE. Received Feb. 7, p.m. . Sydney, Feb. 7. The American Consul has been ofii:ially advised of the severance of diplomatic relations with Germany, and iias teen directed to suspend all activities frith Germany. CAPTAIN BEAN HITS OUT. Received Feb. 7, 8.55 p.m. 1 Sydney, Feb. 7. Captain C. E. W. Bean, cabling on •February 1, after describing the bitter ■wintr 'neither at the front, says the more bitter tiling still is the thought •to be heard expressed on every side that, after all these men have done, Australian politicians cannot sufficiently sink narty gain or ioss to represent whole-hcartedly in the Imperial Conference Australian ideas of justice and ripfht. for which they were fighthing and dying. AT t STRO-GERMANY. BERNSTORFF HONORED. Received Feb. 7, S r .l p ra. London, Feb. 6. Count BemstorlT has heer. awarded t'ie Iron C'ros*, w;ia the white ribbon fl Germany. ITALY enemv surprise attacks. Admiralty, per Wireless Press. Received Feb. 7, 5.50 p.m. London, Feb. 6. Italian, Official—The enemy made rprise attacks in the darkness and fog against our advanced positions in the Garda, Travignolo, and San Pellegrinn valleys, also south-east of Gorizia, with fceiivy losses.