AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1918, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

COMPULSORY WAR LOAN BILL. Melbourne, Oct. 10. In the House of Representatives, Mr Watt, moving the second reading of the Compulsory War Loan Bill, said that the measure fixes amounts which may bo cmnpulsorily raised at six times tho average of the subscriber's income tax l during the past three years. No account will be taken of subscriptions to previous loans', but compulsion will not be used in respect; to more than one loan in any one year. The Bill will only be enforced in the event of the loan not being fullyy subscribed, aiLcl then only to the amount of the deficit, Explaining t'lie reasons for the inrtoauction of the Bill. Mr Watt said that we could not lean further on the British Government, as they had already, since the war commenced, loaned us £47,000,000, besides paying, £54,345,000 for maintenance of troops at the front, of which we had repaid only £16,000,000. Soldiers and persons receiving less than £250 yearly were exempted. The debate was adjourned.—Aus.N,Z. Cable Assn.

CONTROL OF WOOLLEN MILLS. Melbourne, Oct. 10. The Federal Government has taken control of all the woollen mills in the Commonwealth. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SEDITION BILL PASSED. Sydney, Oct. 10, The Assembly passed the second reading of the sedition Bills by 34 TOtes to 28. POSSIBLE SHORTAGE OF SUGAR: Melbourne, Oct. 10. In view of the poor prospects of the sugar crop, which, with the surplus in hand, it is anticipated will barely meet the Commonwealth consumption, the Federal Government, has decided to import 10,000 tons to provide a. surplus [against a. possible era'ergeney.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. = , . ■ ! RABBITS INCREASING. Sydney, Oct. 10. Rabbits are 'becoming a serious menace in many parts of the State. The shortage of labor, the prohibitive price of netting and the scarcity of poisons as the result of the "war, combined with the abundance of feed during tho 'past two years, have led to ah enormous increase and spread of the past. Pastoralists and farmers are_becommg seriously alarmed. In some of tie western districts) however, rabbits are reported £o be dying in large numbers from a mysterious disease and the shortage of feed.—AiisN.Z. Cable Assn.