FROM SOUTH AMERICA.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15338, 23 July 1915, Page 2

FROM SOUTH AMERICA.

fr— • FLOCKING TO THE COLOURS. A Timaru resident hag received * loiter, dated April 12th, from one of his sons resident »« Terra del Fuego, Chili, South Aracrka, in which tho writer .«3yg:--"For the first few months of tho war T was most dreadfully disappointed that circumstances connected with my business here absolutely yrecluded' my going Home and offering my seivices, and I feel very jealous of my younger brothers who have gone. Hi\ndreds of men have gone from Patagonia and here, and thousands from South America—over 17,000 from Chili and Argentine —out of a British population ol' not nioio than, -4.5,000 tc 50.000 in the whole continent; and by far the JO-eater part of all theio volunteers have paid their own fares and expenses Home. lam pleased to say < that tho only three Britishers I had employed have all sone. I WO of my London directors are in the new armies, so that altogether I feel a veritable slacker. Had not the war upset nil "'J plans 1 had intended to have soon you all this winter. The prices of provisions here are going up unreasonably, thanks to the British Government nro buying all that can bo shipped. Sheep have gone ap from 10s to 30s per carcase, and I use at least six per week. Flour has risen from £16 to £35 per ton, sugar from 30 s to £5 a sack, and jams, preserved meats, milk, and all English stuffs to a-wtful priceß. Hven matches have risen from 10 cents to 50 cents a packet. As there is no attempt at Government control, we are. at the mercy of tho dealers, and this irith tho enormous depreciation of tho local dollar mates living a T ery hard matter for the general publio. All my deals are for £ sterling, and as I soil the gold direct to the mint at Santiago. I am only affected to "the extent of the nefc " advance in prices.**