AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2620, 16 November 1915, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

(THE WHEAT EXPORT CONTROL NO CLEARANCE FOR OUTSIDERS. BT-Mermph—Press Associatlon-Oopyrtelit Melbourne, November 15. The Prime Minister (the Hon. W. M. Hughes) has decided not to grant clearances to ships carrying wheat ao quired outside the Federal scheme. • [Shortly stated, the scheme is as follows: "The Commonwealth and the respective State Governments to control khe receiving, finanoing, shipping, and marketing of the whole of & wheat crop of the wheat exporting States in exoess of seed and feed requirements. " 'Methods of Control: The internal State organisation to carry out the responsibilities ns outlined in tie preceding paragraph, to be arranged by the respective State Governments co-oper-ating with the interest concerned. A London board, representing Commonwealth and States, is to bo appointed, which is to have the co-operation of t}ie London representatives of the principal Australian wheat buying tans. Government agents are to be appointed to receive wheat on behalf of their respective Governments.

" 'Agents' Duties: The Government agents to receive the wheat at various centres, to issue certificates, to store and safeguard it, to oonsign it to various shipping ports, to 6nip it, and, throughout from reception of shipment to be responsible for the weight, quality and oondition of the wheat. On receipt of the wheat.the Government agent to issue a * storage certificate showing quality and quantity of wheat delivered. Certificates only to he issued by firm's chief office in State. Quality to be stated in certificate. If inferior, value to be marked. " 'Advances to Farmers: Arrangements to be made for part payment to holders of certificates on tho basis of 3s. per bushel f.o.b. at principal ports of shipment. The difference between the amount thus received and the average price received for all the wheat exported from the States less expenses, in* chiding interest, to bo paid to the holders of certificates at the close of the season. ' ' " 'London Board: The selling to bd entrusted to a London board. Selling commission- and charges to be paid at the rato fixed. The returns from sales of each cargo to be credited to the exporting States. Deliveries of wheat under this scheme to cease on September 30, 1916. and accounts to he paid up, and final payments to farmers to be made subsequent to sale of the last shipment, probably not later than November 30. As soon possible after the sale of the last cargoes the Minister to ascertain the net average nrice realised for the whole of the wheat shinned bv his State, and eacli farmer to be credited with this rate and the whole of the amount delivered to the Government acrent. Provision is to be made_ for supplving millers with wheat sufficient for their requirements at a price to be approximately the London paritv."

"The control of the whole scheme is to be vested in a committee representing the Commonwealth and States, witK an advisory board of experts.] ' DROUGHT AND BUSH FIRES IN NEW SOUTH WALES. HAZE ON THE CQAST HAMPERING SHIPPING. Sydney, November 15. The heat and bush fires continue. The smoke and haze oil the coast are hampering shipping, and have delayed the steamer Riverina. The fires have been raging furiously in the mountains. Miles of country have been swept by the flames, and many !houses destroyed. The fires are equally fierce on the south coast, and great damage has been done. HEAT WAVE SUBSIDING. (Rec. November 15, 10.50 p.m.)' _ Sydney, November 16. After touohing 97 degrees in the city and many higher records in the coim» try, the heat-wave is easing. . (R«c. November 16, 1.65 a.m.) Sydney, November 15. The bush fires in the Blue Moun« tains are unabated. There are miles of blazing ridges, which present a magnificent spectacle. The Jainieson Valley and other beauty spots have been swept, besides scores of week-end houses. A number of larger places, including Mr. John L. Hordern's mansion, have been destroyed. Destructive fires in numerous other districts are interfering with telegraphic communication. ■ THE BEER STRIKE. (Rec. Novembe rls, 10.50 p.m.) Sydney, November 15, The city's "thirst" lias been "quenched." The liquor trade is in. full swing again.