AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 July 1917, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

TRANSPORT FACILITIES. SHOW AWARDS. Australian Cable Association Syndey, June 29. Mr. C. H. Ensor was awarded second prize for a pen af ten fat Corridale wethers suitable for export. At the show luncheon the GovernorGeneral urged the organisation of shipping and railways to facilitate the transport of wool and wheat. The Acting-fPremier stated the Government was prepared to proceed with the construction of ships on AValsh Island immediately the Federal authorities gave the, .word.

The president of the iSheepbreeders Association said that since the, 'breaking orf the drought in .1015-16 pastoralists considered last season Was the best they had known (for many years, while .prices of wool and stock had never ibeen higher, but profits were affected by the severe attack of the 'blowfly pest at the latter part of lftl6. The most serious question from the producers' point of view was the alarming shortage of shipping. He urged greater co-opera-tion of pastoral organisations in order to improve the position.

RECRUITING PROPOSALS. PREMIER GUVES STATISTICS. REPATRIATION SCHEME. Sydney, June 29. Hon. \V. J. Hughes announced that the Government in formulating a recruiting policy had token into consideration the present position of the war find the circumstances under which Parliament had been elected. The Government 'was pledged not to resort to compulsory service, save under certain circumstances which it opines have not yet arisen, and therefore submits proposals in harmony .with the pledges, which it believes will 'keep Australia's five divisions up to fighting strength. In October, 1916, the British War Office, basing its estimate on the wastage of the Somme offensive, advised the Commonwealth that 16,500 reinforcements would bo required monthly. Happily later experience proved that the estimate was too high. The winter campaign and soring offensive led the Government to fix the minimum number required at 7000 monthly. It was estimated that there were still 140.000 single and 280,000 married men from 18 years to 44 years of age eligible. During the past six months recruits averaged 4750 monthly. In May the number fell to 4500 which was quite inadequate. The Government desires to secure additional recruits to enable the 5000 remaining members of the first division to return to Australia.

Hon. W. Hughes promises early legislation to give effect to a generous repatriation scheme in order to protect the interests of the dependents, also preference to returned soldiers in employment. He has authorised the Minister of 'Defence to convene State Conferences of sporting 'bodies to give effect to the Government proposals regarding the restriction of sport and finally he. appeals to all sections to sink the past and work harmoniously to support a uolhy which does not impose an impossible task on the community. The Director af Eecruiting is confident that the. desired number can be setured.

ANTI-SHOUTING LEGISLATION. Sydney, June 29. Mr. Hughes is sympathetic in his attitude a.s to the suggested anti-shouting legislation on New Zealand lines. In the meantime he will consult the Cabinet as to whether the question is one for the State or for the Commonwealth to deal with. PUBLIC WORKS EXPENDITURE. Sydney, June 29. The New South. Wales cabinet has decided that its loan expenditure next year will not exceed five million, and will be kept as much below that as possible, only absolutely essential works being carried out. SHIPPING AND STORAGE SPACE. Sydney. .Tune 30., The butiter conference discussed the shortage of shipping "space and the possibility of augmenting the present cold storage. It appointed a committee- to investigate the difficulties' of shipping. Representatives stated' that thp British Government wanted other things than butter, in tlie -following order: — Beef, mutton, cheese, rabbits, lamb, butter. There was More' ibeef in the Queensland stores than were able to ship The Sydney .fitqres were full; of rablbits. There wcjjfj. fQO.OOO grates in Australia in cold storage awaiting; shipment. .... Representatives said the difficulty of. extending the available was due to inability to and' ma-; chiucry. -;«*•*