AUSTRALIA'S AID.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15313, 29 July 1915, Page 8

AUSTRALIA'S AID.

THE METALS QUESTION. REPLY TO MR HUGHES. AN ALL-BRITISH CONCERN. MELBOURNE, July 23. The Broken Hill Associated Smelters, in reply to Mr Hughes's ' statement, says tli3t the company was formed only this year with a capital of £750,000, subscribed by tho North and South Proprietary Broken Hill Companies and the Zinc Corporation, with the object of smelting and refining the whole output of Broken Hill. Und-.-r ihe articles of association, foreign shareholders were prohibited, and no alien was allowed to participate m the management. An independent agency was established in London to sell direct to consumers. The Board on a number of occasions refused to do business with certain London firms, some of which were apparently approved of officially. The company claims that all its* operations are free from German influence or control. On Juno 2nd it repeated to the British Government an offer to sell its whole output at such prices and for such a period as tho British Government desired. Negotiations were proceeding, it being understood that the companies offered to accept substantially lower prices than the ruling market prices The statement adds that Mr Hughes apparently believes that the Broken Hill Proprietary and the Associated Smelters Proprietary are really the same company. This is a mistake and has such grotosque consequences in his statement that no reply is necessary to a number of his allegations. A GALLANTRECRUIT. SYDNEY, July 28. E. Donst. the tennis player, was refused as a recruit because his big toe was overlapping. He got it cut off and will re-offer himself as soon as the wound is healed. THE BRITISH WAR LOAN. SYDNEY, July 28. At a meeting of the City Bank, the chairman stated that the > bank had converted its holding of British Consols into stock in the new war loan. LIVERPOOL CAMP ENQUIRY. THE DRINK TROUBLE. (Received July 28th, 9.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, July' 28. At the Liverpool Camp enquiry witnesses stated that there was no evidence of the adulteration of the liquor sold in the neighbouring hotels. There had been less drinking, and the men's con- ' duet had improved, since their leave had been etopped.