AUSTRALIAN COMMITMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1939, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN COMMITMENTS

REVIEWED BY WAR CABINET. [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] MELBOURNE, October 17. The War Cabinet sat here, to-day, reviewing Australia’s war commitments and financial exigencies. No indication of the steps proposed will be given till next month’s budgetary statement. There is dissatisfaction over war tenders, Sydney manufacturers and Westralian interests complaining that Melbourne interests are in too favourable a position, especially as to tendering. The Prime Minister, to-day, said Australia’s war aims were:—(l) No territorial gains; (2) security for peace; (3) no suppression of German rights; (4) no demand for guarantees to restore former frontiers: (5) independence for all independent peoples. ARMISTICE DAY. , CANBERRA, October 17. Armistice Day is to be observed as usual in Australia. AUSTRALIAN WOOL PRICE. MELBOURNE, October 17.

Australia’s wool price from Britain, 10id per lb sterling is equal to 13 7-10 d. If there is any alteration in the exchange rates, however, it does not follow that the price will suffer. The Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, said today that the price will be reviewed annually and the equivalent of the agreed price would be continued. Australia has forbidden the export of sheepskins, except to Britain and France. Mr. Menzies explained that the Australian price, at which the British Government had contracted to buy the Australian wool clip, was not a fixed price, but would fluctuate according to any variations of exchange between Australian currency and sterling.

SURPLUS SUGAR SOLD. BRISBANE, October 17. The Premier of Queensland, Mr Forgan Smith, told the State Parliament, to-day, that Britain, while she hitherto had arranged for the purchase of 290,000 tons of Quensland sugar, had now agreed to purchase the remaining surplus of 90,000 tons.