AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1917, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

FEDERAL FINANCES. Australian-N.Z. Cable Association. Melbourne, June 15. In the House of Representatives tho Treasurer delivered the financial statement. He said the Customs revenue was expected to show a deficit of £1,823,000, due chiefly to the decreased number of ships from oversea ports. The defence expenditure, not including war expenditure, was estimated at £5,302,fi50 from the beginning of the 7/ar. The ordinary naval and military expenditure and expenditure on works, arms, equipment of naval bases and con. slruetion of the fleet has been £15,033,193. The total war expenditure was £129,114,206, of which £51,207,434 had been met out of loans. The financial position had become very difficult, and the return to easy conditions seemed far off. The successive accumulative increases' in expenditure were alarming, but it was not possible or opportune to indicate what would be done to provide financial arrangements for the ensuing year. _ Referring to old age and invalid pensions, the Treasurer said nearly \y„ per cent, of the total adult population were receiving these pensions, involving an expenditure of £3,660,000. It was clear that a very large additional revenue was required next year. Supply was passed by both Houses. ENCOURAGING RECRUITING. Sydney, June 15. The State Recruiting Committee is constantly introducing novel methods of arousing enthusiasm. Tho latest is that four clowns parade the city, and immediately a crowd is attracted the recruiting officers appeal for volunteers. Another well-staged attraction is a collision between a lorry and a motor, the drivers of which indulge in a heated argument and come to blows. The crowds, eager for a free fight, quickly are enjoined to participate in the greater contest. A recruiting train is touring the country districts and has met with considerable success. CRIMES ACT AMENDMENT. Sydney, June 15. The Government is amending theCrimes Act reducing the number of crimes punishable by death from fourteen to three or four, which include only crimes where life is taken. In murder charges provision is made for a verdict in the first or second degree, the first only carrying the death penalty. A Bill is also being prepared "to fix the retiring age of judges at seventy. RISE IN FOOD PRICES. Melbourne, June lii. The Government Statistician states that since July, 1914, food prices have risen 33.1 per cent.