AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1917, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

[CONSCRIPTION REFERENDUM STRINGENT (REGULATIONS. Sydney, Dec. 5. The stringency, of the referendum regulations largely cut 1 out the pamphlet and leaflet appeals, and both sides, particularly the anti-eonscriptionists. are relying more on platform work. The deluge of eloquence has reached such a pitch that a newspaper correspondent seriously suggests that all reference"from the plaitform and pulpit 'be suppressed in order that the voter may go to the ballot calmly and undisturbed, and bo spared the pain this distressing discussion is causing. Mr. J. B, Clarkson, as a visitor from Zealand, said that Mr. Hughes had the hearty sympathy oi everyone in New Zealand, and he hoped the people would vote as Mr. Hughes wished. , ENLISTED SOLDIERS GIVJTN VOTE. Received Dec. 5, 11.30 p.m. Melbourne, Dec. 5. _ A further amendment of the regulations permits soldiers under *2l who have enlisted, ibut have not seen service, to vote on tbe referendum. A PUBLISHER PROSECUTED. UNDER WAR REGULATIONS ACT. (Received 'Dec. 6, 11.15 p.m. Sydney, Dec. S. Under the War Precautions Act, Booto, the publisher of the newspaper Australian Worker, appeared to answer a charge of publishing matter likely to prejudice recruiting, and four charges of failing to submit articles to the censor. After a quantity of evidence had be/n taken, counsel for the prosecution faid he desired to withdraw the information covering the first charge. VOTES FOR SOLDIERS. Melbourne, Dec. 5. An amendment to the War Precautions Act permits all soldiers on service' or returned to vote irrespective of age. TOTAL CASUALTIES. i ' Melbourne, Dec./). The official list of casualties tp Nocem'ber 30 was as follows:-—-Dead, 39,043, missing 12,220, prisoners 3684, wounded 1,03,20/, sick 63,335, unspeci- ' Bed 400; total '221,9,8"