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Grey River Argus, 8 September 1939, Page 8

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In Australia MR. HUGHES’ STATEMENT. (Received September 7, 11.57 p.m.) CANBERRA, September 7. Introducing the National Security Bill in the House of Representatives to-day the war-time Premier and present Attorney-General, Rt. Hon. W. M. Hughes, made it clear that the Bill ruled out any form of compulsory naval, military or air force service, or any form of industrial conscription. This, he said, accorded with the promise given to Labour organisations during the controversy against the National Register Census Bill. He added that the Bill is the equivalent of the 1914 War Precautions Act. Day of Prayer AUSTRALIAN DECISION. FOR EARLY, JUST PEACE. (Received September 7, 11.57 p.m.) CANBERRA, September 7. The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. R. G. Menzies, at the request of Church leaders, has set aside next Sunday as a day of prayer “for Divine Guidance and enlightenment, and an early, but just peace.” Radio News Versions AUSTRALIAN MINISTER’S WARNING. (Received September 7, 11.57 p.m.) CANBERRA, Septembei’ 7. The Federal Postmaster-General, Hon. R. J. Harrison, warns the commercial radio services that he wnl deal with any stations which broadepqt war nows in snch a way as to cause undue alarm, or who provide any exaggerated dramatic versions of war developments AN ENEMY ORGANISATION. REPORTED IN QUEENSLAND. (Received September 7, 11.59 p.m.) BRISBANE, September 7. Documents seized in raids on aliens in Queensland have revealed the existence of an enemy organisation designed to hamper military and civil activities in time of war. The documents included plans and charts of city and country districts, and also evidence of subsidies from abroad.

N.Z. Purchases of Bags BLOCKED BY AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT. (Received September 8, 1.5 a.m.) CANBERRA, September 8. The operations of New Zealand dealers in buying up large quantities of corn sacks, wheat bags and woolpacks, in recent weeks is the main reason for the issue to-day of a proclamation prohibiting the export of these commodities. The Minister of Customs (Hon. H. N. Lawson), said that this action had been taken in order to ensure that adequate supplies remain in Australia. Middlemen Cut Out FRENCH PRICE FIXING. (Received September 7, 8,30 p.m.) PARIS, September 6. To prevent profiteering and to main tain stability of prices, the Ministry of National Economy forbids the activity of middlemen between prociucer, dealer and consumer. Offenders will be reporter and prosecuted. Shopkeepers are giving special prices to the soldiers. DUNEDIN BUTCHERS WARNED. DUNEDIN, September 7. Owing to an increase in the prices of cattle and sheep at the Burnside stock sales, Dunedin retailers intimated higher shop prices, as from tomorrow, but have now been warned that, under the Price Stabilisation Emergency Regulations, no increase can be made. 1 The President of the Master Butchers’ Association telegraphed to Mr Sullivan, pointing out that an increase at this period of the year is justified. It is hoped to secure relaxation of the regulations. He pointed out that yesterday’s stock sale revealed a rise over the July prices of 14s for mutton and £5 for beef.

N.Z. Chambers of Commerce AID FRAMING OF REGULATIONS. WELLINGTON, September 7. The Associated Chambers of Commerce have written to Mr. Fraser giving an assurance of their determination to do all in their power to assist the Government in organising and using, to the fullest extent, all the resources of the Dominion to aid in prosecuting the war to a successful conclusion, and offering assistance to the Government in the matter of framing any regulations affecting the carrying on of industry and commerce, which the Government may deem necessary. CANADA'S PART.

OTTAWA, September 6. Mr Mackenzie King has strengthened the ,War Cabinet by the appointment of Lieut.-Colonel J. L. Ralston, a distinguished ex-soldier and ex-Min-ister of National Defence, as Minister of Finance, replacing Mr Dunning, who resigned owing to ill-health. Lieut.-Colonel Ralston is not a Member of the. House. ' Anthony Playfair, 25, a pilot-officer of the R.A.F., is the first Canadian war casualty. The War Ministry has informed his parents that he died on active service. Sir Frederick Banting, the discoverer of insulin, has enlisted as a captain, in the Fifteenth General Hospital Canadian Army Medical Corps. TURKISH MUNITION FACTORIES BUSY. ’ ■ . ISTANBUL.. September 6. .“ Double shifts are being worked in all the munition factories. Art treasures are being moved to safety, and Press violently attacks Germany.

U.S.A. Stock Market Boom NEW YORK, September 5. The American public nas climbed aboard the stock market express, and prices have soared 5 to 25 points. Turnover was 5,930,000 shares. Bonds, particularly United States Government issues, have risen more than a point and the demand for stocks centres in steels, sugars, chemicals, shipping, textiles, aeroplanes, motors and lead. . commodities have risen to the highest revels permitted in a single day’s movements and trading has practically ceased, due to lack ot offerings. London Stock Exchange DRASTIC CONTROL. [British Official Wireless.] RUGBY, September 5. The Stock Exchange will reopen on Thursday. Meanwhile transactions between members are permitted according to the special rules announced yesterday by the committee. The closing of the Exchange, it is emphasised in financial circles, was not due to any weakness of the market, but was decided on for the convenience of members. To-day’s "Financial News” pays a warm tribute to the thoroughness ot the preparations which enabled Britain’s economic system to pass smoothly from near war conditions to those of war. The article continues: — “There is none of the hasty improvisations in 1914. One gets tne impression of a well-oiled machine at work. The preliminary financial measures are drastic, comprehensive and sensible.

“The measures include complete control of the foreign exchange market and the domestic financial position, as well as steps to prevent emergency difficulties in the money market. The whole plan of the campaign of the authorities appears to be a mixture between control and the maintenance as far as possible of existing institutions. “The control consists for the most part of the control of prices and the control of the distribution of supplies through priority schedules—such control being exercises through the industries’ own organisations.” There is evidence in the city, according to this newspaper, of considerable confidence in the capacity of Britain’s economy to undergo efficiently and rapidly the change-over from peace to war. Under the special Stock Exchange rules referred to above, minimum prices are fixed for certain securities and all bargains made must be for cash. DUKE OF GLOUCESTER’S APPOINTMENT. LONDON, September 6. His Majesty has approved the Duke of Gloucester’s appointment as chiei liaison officers to the British field forces. Imperial Officers LEAVE N.Z. FOR DUTY. WELLINGTON, September 7. Major R. G. G. Byron, of the Fourth Company of the Seventh Dragoon Guards, who has been Military Secretary to the Governor-General for the past eighteen months, has relinquished his appointment on His Excellency’s staff and has left New Zealand to rejoin his regiment. He is accompanied by Mrs. Byron. Lieutenant Sir Leh Lombard-Hobson, R.N.. 'Naval Aide de Camp to the Governor since December, 1937, has also . relinquished his appointment on His Excellency’s staff, and has left for England. N.Z. AIRMAN MISSING.

WELLINGTON, September 7. Messrs W. and R. Fletcher, his former employers at Wellington have received news from his parents at Patea that Laurie Edwards, of the Royal Air Force, and a well-known Wellington Rugby player, is missing on patrol. Edwards left the firm in July last year, and began his training with the New Zealand Air Force. He arrived in England in May of this year. N.Z. Labour Federation SUPPORT FOR WAR EFFORT. WELLINGTON, September 7. An appeal to workers of all countries to make common cause in the fight against the aggression and dictatorship of Nazism is made by the President of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, Mr A. McLagan. in a statement to-day. The Nazis' treatment of the people of Austria and Czechoslovakia had been marked by the ruthless oppression that had characterised their treatment o,f the German people, and it was all too evident that the same fate was in store for any other peoples who might fall into their power. He said: “The New Zealand Federation of Labour desires to place on record its complete unity with the Government of New Zealand and the Governments of Great Britain and France in the steps they have taken, and are taking, to oppose and halt the unprovoked, wanton and brutal aggression of Nazism and dictatorship.”

NOT DISBANDING. COMMUNISTS IN BRITAIN. LONDON, September 6. The Communist Party denies the report that it has disbanded. It states that its work will continue in all circumstances, and that it will do everything in its power to help to win the war aganist Fascist aggression. REFUGEES FROM GERMANY. ILLTREATMENT AT FRONTIER. 1 LONDON, September 6. One of the last parties of British subjects to leave Germany included Miss A. Plummer, of Auckland, a former member of the New Zealand House staff, who was teaching English in Prague. German Customs officers on the German-Dutch frontier stripped members of the party, including females, all their money and other valuables, and forced them to enter Holland, penniless. The Dutch arranged their transport to England. “THE LINK” CLOSED DOWN. LONDON, September 6. “The Link” has been closed down.