AUSTRALIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 March 1945, Page 5

AUSTRALIA

VICTORIAN DUST STORMS

MELBOURNE, March 23. Several dust storms, gales, bush fires, with sudden changes in temperature. and light rain were experienced over the greater part of Victoria* yesterday. Thousands of tons of red soil from the inland areas were carried into and over the metropolitan area by the wind, and the sky took on many strange hues. Many reports of outbreaks of fire were reported from the country.

MEAT FOR ENGLAND

CANBERRA, March 23

The total of Australian shipments of meat to the United Kingdom last year was 179,000 tons. The quota allotted was 177,000 tons. The quota for 1945 was 177,000 tons, in accord with the promise Mi- Curtin gave Mr Churchill. The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Scully, in making these figures available, said it was expected that Britain would provide the necessary shipping. The tonnage would have to be increased if Australia agreed to provide still more meat.

RECORD COAL STOPPAGES

SYDNEY. March 23

This week’s coal loss of 48,670 tons from stoppages sets a new record for this year. It is 12,000 tons in excess of last week’s loss, the second heaviest of the year. The heaviest loss " this week has been on the northern \field which produces' about twothirds of Australia’s coal. Six collieries producing 7,150 tons and employing 2000 men were idle to-day. The Coal Commissioner, Mr Mighell, warned to-day that coal stocks in. New South Wales and South Victoria were considerably below the levels at this time last year. There would have to be a considerable improvement in output after Easter, if the Winter coal requirements of the people were to be met. He pointed out that it was only with the greatest difficulty that the 1944 Winter requirements were met.

DETENTION CAMP CRUELTIES

CANBERRA;- March 23

“Brutality in Army detention camps will not be tolerated,” said Mr. Curtin, to a Caucus meeting of Labour Members of Parliament. It was stated Mr. Curtin gave this assurance after discussion of reports that men had been'brutally treated by the staff at some of the camps. The Speaker of the House, Mr. Rosevear, said that cases of sadism had been reported to members by men who had inquired into the detention camp conditions. Members of the Caucus said that some of the guards had compelled the men undergoing punishment to carry packs heavily laden with stones for long periods.