FOODSTUFFS AND MERCHANDISE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 367, 13 February 1915, Page 5

FOODSTUFFS AND MERCHANDISE.

AUSTRALIAN MEAT SUPPLIES, i AVAILABLE FOR ALLIES’ ARM LES. LACK OF SHIPPING. j Sydney, Feb. 12. j Mr. Cann states that the Meat Re- j quisition Bill will not operate ini- ’ mediately. The Governor s assent will bo necessary, after which a board will be appointed to carry out the provisions of the Act. On receipt of the Imperial dispaten regarding meat supplies the Government summoned the exporters and secured promises that full supp.ies would be available for the Allies armies. The conference of meat exporters unanimously decided to assist the Imperial Government, promising to hand over ail available meat stocks whenever desired and ensuring sufficient supplies for the Allied armies ; also to safeguard the supply to the public of Great Britain both as regards quantity and price. It is generally admitted that the position will create difficulties in carrying out the provisions of the Act. The trade thinks that if prices are fixed on the basis of London parity there will be no difficulty in securing outside supplies bevond those already stored, it is anticipated that the question of freightage may create a oifficulty, tonnage being exceptionally scarce lately, but the. position wi.l ease 111 August. . . , The commission is continuing the inquiry into the price nf meat, it v,as pointed out that over halt a million carcases of mutton were stored owing to lack of shipping space. MEAT AND WOOL FOR AMERICA. UNDER SPECIAL PERMITS. (Received 13. 9.30 a.m.) Sj'dney, Feb. 13. Shipping companies are continuing to ship meat to America under special permits. The embargo on the export c,t merino wool to America has been definitely lifted where space was, arranged before February sth, subject to shippers undertaking to cable instructions enabling the wool to be death with as if originally consigned to the textile alliance. The Waitemata continues loading wool. The Brokers’ Association secured the same concessions regarding prepayment, of freight as accorded in New Zealand.

FINANCE AND WAR. NEW SOUTH WALES LOANS Sydney, Feb. 12. The Railway Loans Authorisation Bill,, providing for the expenditure cf three millions oui of the loans already raised, passed all its singes. MERCHANTMEN. BRITISH LOSSES TO DATE (Received 13, 8.55 a.m.) London, Feb. 12. At the annual meeting of the Livernool I nderwriters’ Association, the chairman said the losses sustained by British shipping during the six months oi the war were much less than might have been expected. One estimate submitted assessed them at £6.099.000. BALTIC SEA TRAFFIC (Received 13, 9.0 a.m.) London, Feb. 12. Since last week eight German steamers stationed outside Sweden are controlling vessels going towards the Baltic. THE DOMINION. BELGIUM FUND. NEW ZEALAND THANKED. London, Dec. 24. The Commissioner for Relief in Belgium, the headquarters of which are at 3 London Wall Buildings, E.C., fias issued the following letter for circulation in New Zealand:— "We have received from his Excellency Count de Lalaing, the Belgian Minister, a cheque for £60,000, the gift of New South Wales. Queensland, and New Zealand. "Wil yon kindly convey to those who contributed this splendid amount and most .magnificent gift, our deep appreciation of their generosity ? The whole will at once be converted into food supplies so urgently needed bv the hundreds and thousands of Belgians who are threatened with starvation m thenown sorrowing land. “Anything we might attempt to say could but feebly represent thenheartfelt gratitude for the aid so spontaneously given by the people of Australia and New Zealand in an hour of great need. “As regards this Commission, we all feel that noble assistance in successfully’ carrying out the great task imposed upon us only serves to stimulate us to renewed efforts in that; direction.”

FOR THE BASE HOSPITAL. The entertainment arranged by Mr. R. H- Lanauze in aid cf the Military Base Hospital at Trenthani was held in St. Matthew s Hall, Hastings, last evening and proved a great success —both financially, and frem the audience’s point of view.

The concert, which comprised the first part of the'programme, was one of the best of the kind held in Hasting1 ’;. Miss Large, whose numbers inJudcd T.wti’s “Serenade,” with flute ol'.igato, “Beautiful Beatrice,” and “Tipperary” with variations, v.'.is - n fine V<,h-e and was repeatedly lecaliid. Miss D. Shattkv gave entire satisfaction in programme item, and her encore “The Rosary,” with viidiu obligato, was prettily sung. She was also heard to advantage in a duet with Mr. F. S. Thomas “() Li vely Night,” for which an encore was demanded. Mr. I’. S. Thomas sang very nicely the “Little (Irey Homo in. the West and • Heap o’ Lichens.” Perhaps the most enjoyable features o.f the. evenjna- were the recitations by Mr. T. Paiker, “The Pipes of Lucknow,” ■■Eai-’bics (‘uddle Deem,” and “Foxes Toils.” ihe latitr being especially good. Mr. J. A. I.oiiis Hay. whose flute solos are a.ways a. welcome item plaved “La Rove, ’’'■•Waltz Caprice,” and “Souvenir” with excellent effect. The audience showed their appreciation of Mr. Lanauze’s comedy “A Business Transaction.” which filled the latter part of the programme, by a vociferous call for "author. npvts in “A Business Transaction” were taken by Misses Grey and Gallion, and Messrs. Lanauze, McGorkindtile and Fester. The piece went off well. Miss Grey as “Aunt Matilda” and Doug. McCcrkindale as “Callaway,” a retired merchant being especially good. Tne excellent stag- ; ing of the comedy and ihe fact that the entertainment went through without a hitch, reflected credit on Mr. Lanauze. Thanks are due to the performers, some bi' whom attended i from long distances and to the mem- | hers cf the orchestra (under the ■ direction of Mr. Brownhill), who conj tributed much to ihe evening’s enjoyment.

COMFORTS FOR THE MEN. LADY LIVERPOOL’S FUND. As the Defence Department has entirely taken over the outfitting of the troops, it is just left to the Liverpool Fund Committee to supply extra comforts for the voyage, to our men as they leave Wellington. This Lady Liverpool makes clear in a letter to the Mayoress of Hastings for tlie guidance of the local committees, so the latter’s work now consists of despatching parcels for each man from this district as he passes through camp. The parcels contain: 1 Balaclava cap, 1 pair mittens, 2 pairs socks, 2 handkerchiefs, 1 housewife, writing pad, envelopes and pencil. Any of the above gilts from relatives or friends-will be gratefully received by the Mayoress, secretary, or treasurer.

The committee have also many kind friends at work on articles which it is their intention to dispatch almost immediately to Miss Helen Mackenzie (the High Commissioner’s daughter), secretary in London for the 'New Zealand War Contingent Association, which association, in a very efficient and thorough manner, is looking after the welfare cf our men at the other end. It is realised at the front that warm things will be most useful, as it- will be wintry weather there for some time to come. The following donations have been handed to the secretary Mrs. Fitzbeibert’s knitters (wool supplied from Liverpool fund) —35 Balaclava caps. 10 pairs of cuffs and mittens, and nine pairs of socks ; Mrs. J. H. 'Williams, 3 doz. pairs of socks; Mrs. Gascoyne, 2 mufflers ; Miss Furniss, 4 pairs mittens ; Miss Hart, 3 boxes envelopes; Mr. Clapham, 2 doz. penci.'.s ; purchased with proceeds of collection by “Little Mary” (a dog), 21 writing pads. “TRIBUNE’-’ FUND. Previously acknowledged £3037 8 7 Anonvmons 1 10 0 Tip from G.S. Camp.... 5 0 Total £3039 3 7