AUSTRALIA.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 396, 19 March 1915, Page 6

AUSTRALIA.

SHORT OF FODDER. Sydney, Mar. IS. The Minister for Agriculture, replying to a deputation regarding the shortage of fodder, said that he would consult the Cabinet on the possibility of obtaining supplies from New Zealand and San Fran'cisco. Despite New Zealand’s prohibition against export, the Dominion Government might heed representations on behalf of the State. STATE BAKERIES. Sydney, Mar. 18. The Government has definitely decided to carry out the scheme for a State bread monopoly. INTERNED NATURALISED GERMANS. Melbourne, Mar. 19. Mr. Pearce announces that the Defence Department has decided to follow the* British Government’s lead in interning naturalised Germans unable to find employment, and granting them destitution money at the rate of 10.’- a week.

AFRICA. INDEMNITY"BILLS PASSED. (Received 19, 9.30 a.m.) The Indemnity Bills have passed their second reading by 70 to 15. The entire Opposition voted with the Ministry. The Hertzogites and Labourites formed a minority. THE DOMINION. BURDEN OF EMPIRE. N.Z CHEERFULLY SHOULDERS HER LOAD. ABLE AND WILLING TO DO MORE. » ■— » [per press association.] Wellington, March 18. ■ The Prime Minister was the guest at the New Zealand Club tc-day, when, in the course of his remarks, Mr. Massey said he did not think that in years to come New Zealanders would have reason to be ashamed of the part the Deminion had taken in the present crisis. New Zealand was a small country with a small population, ‘‘but we offered to do our best, and we have done it.” He declared, amid applause, ‘‘We were the first of the dominions to get cur troops away, 'and our soldiers were the very first to take possession of foreign territory, I mean Samoa. As we have begun so we propose to go on.” Mr. Massey went on to emphasise the necessity of keeping up the volume of our exports during the present crisis, and added that he expected New Zea and would during the current season send away five million pojinds’ worth of frozen meat. Unfortunately, for the first time in the history of New Zealand, there had been a shortage of oats and cereals. As a matter of fact in New Zealand it was not necessary for the' farmer to grow wheat, as other ctops Were mere payable, and. until the farmer could be induced to sow a large area in wheat the short- ‘ age now being experienced would occur annually, with a corresponding increase in tnc price of flour. He believed that farmers in New Zealand were sufficiently patriotic to grow wheat. It had become an Imperial Necessity, and he be. ieved that this was the last of the ‘‘short” seasons for many years to come. He also believed the worst was over as far as the present season was con- I cerned. At the present time wheat was worth 6/9 a bushel in New Zealand, but would soon cost Bto land here. New South M ales had a surplus, therefore was net a fit subject of comparison, but he would point out that in’ Melbourne wheat was from 8/3 to B'4 a bushel, and in Tasmania 8/6, so that we in New Zealand had not much to complain of. He would like the duty on wheat not to be reimposed unti. we had a surplus. Referring to the new arrangements under which all meat exported is consigned to the Imperial authorities Mr. Massey said everything was working smoothly. _ There had not been a single hitch in the operations. Dealing with other matters Mr. Massey: referred to the steps which the Government is taking to assist the kauri gum industry, and to the improved prospects ot the flax industry. As to the timber industry the Government' had done all it possibly could to assist it. A very large number of workers’ homes was being erected, and some £12,000 or £15,000 was going to be expended in constructing huts at Trentham camp. Healso spoke of the splendid iesponse New Zealand had made to the appeal for relief for _ the Belgians and for other patriotic purposes. As to New Zealand’s war expenditure he said it amounted to about £300,000 per onth, or £3.600,000 a year, ‘ and it will be more,” he declared. ‘‘We have to face it. I don’t think it is too much. I doubt if we are doing enough. Personally I would like to do more, and if the Imperial authorities would indicate some direction in which we can do more I am quite sure the Government and the people of New Zealand would be giad to accede to the request.” (Applause.) “It is our fight,” he cone."tided. “We have to see it through and do everything we possiblj’ can, whether the Imperial authorities think it or not to ensure what I heartily believe will be an honourable peace—a peace that will last for a long time to come.” (Loud cheers.)

CAMP LIQUOR QUESTION "MODERATES” WANT IT THERE. [per press association.] Wellington, 51 arch 18. Referring to yesterday’s - Press Association message from Auckland stating that the Hon. James Allen, Minister of Defence, had told a deputation. from the Women’s C.T.U. that he had already given an assurance that no wet canteen would be established at Trenthairi, Mr. A. A. S. Menteath, president of the New Zealand Moderate League, stated to-day that the executive were surat the announcement, as in replying to the league’s deputation a few days ago Mr. Allen had said that he had an open mind on the question and would, if it was found advisable, endeavour to find the means of getting round the law in order that a wet canteen might be established. -So for as the league knew this was Mr. Alien’s last public pronouncement, and they were writing to the Minister asking whether he had been correctly reported in yesterday’s message, and if so to whom the ase referred to had been giyeij.

MEAT FOR IMPERIAL USE PRODUCERS’ PROTEST. FREEZING SPACE DIFFICULTIES. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. 1 Palmerston N., March 1. At a representative meeting of famers held here to-day for the purpose ot discussing the matter of arrangements made by the Government for the acquisition of meat supplies, the following resolutions were carried unanimously:—

(1) “That this meeting of beef pro-j ducers of Manawatu, Rangitikei, and i Horowhenua districts, while agreeable to the prices arranged for meat., emphatically protests against the arrangements made by the Government with freezing companies for the purchase of meat for army supplies, inasmuch as the arrangements were made without consulting the producer, and, on account of the difficulty of securing freezing space, to sell f.o.b. to the Government the freezing companies have practically a monopoly of buving at their own prices.” (2) “That in the opinion of this meeting it is considered advisable that the Government control the freezing works in order that producers may not be so exploited by such companies refusing to freeze on owners’ account.” AUSTRALIAN SUPPLIES. BEEF REQUISITIONED. (Received 19, 9.30 a.m.) Sydney, March 19. Tn addition to the mutton supplies. Government has requisitioned 30,000 quarters of beef. The prices fixed for ox beef are as follows: — Sides, first quality, 4jd, second 4fd, third 4gd ; cow beef, first 4g-d. second 4gd. Hind quarters are id more, forequarters id less -in each case.

After next week regular supplies of a l classes of frozen meat will be despatched to the Imperial authorities. who are arranging freightage. ENEMY TRADE MARKS. APPLICATION FOR VOIDANCE. Wellington, March 19. The first case in New Zealand for the voidance of trade mark granted to an enemy subject, was brought by Messrs. Baldwin and Rayward, on behalf of the Australian Manufacturing and Importing C'q., Sydney. The trade mark in question is the name “Matador,” registered for lamps, lanterns, and sundries manufactured by Ehrich and Graetz, of Berlin. The application was heard by the Registrar of Trade. Marks in declaration by Frank Cowper oF Sydney, director of the company. It was stated that for several years his company had distributed lampheaters, and other sundries under the trade mark Matador, and in some cases parts had been put together in Australia. It was pointed cut that the company could not defend any infringement of trade mark and the application was brought with the object of securing the sole right to the trade mark. It was intended to manufacture articles in Australia under the trade mark and also in New’ Zealand. No one of'the members of the company was an enemy ■ subject. The Registrar intimated that he would take time to consider the matter.

PRICE OF BREAD. Auckland, March 19. The Master Bakers 1 Association discussed the question of a further advance in rhe price of bread and decided almost unanimously that there should be no further increase at present on the 2lb. loaf, which is sd. They considered the market for flour showed a hardening tendency anil bakers wotdd probably be compelled eventually to further increase their prices. DAIRY FARMERS GOOD WICKET. ■ March 19. The New Zealand Dairy Association has been advised that the Russian Government has prohibited the export of butter. This will greatly reduce supplies- for the London market and cause an increased demand for New Zealand butter there. London advises that there is every reason to expect the present high prices will continue.

COST OF LIVING. ALLEGED EXPLOITATION. Auckland, March 19. A meeting of the Labour Representation Committee, consisting of delegates from 23 trades unions, held an animated discussion on the increased prices of food, and finally passed the following resolution: “Owing to growing dissatisfaction with the inactivity of the Government in dealing with the abnormal situation arising out of the war, whereby the people are being ruthlessly exploited by individuals controlling the necessaries of life, the meeting Considers it is the duty of Cabinet immediately to call Parliament together in order that representative of the people may take a hand in dealing with the matter.”

THE BELGIAN APPEAL. DISPOSITION OF FUNDS SAFEGUARDING CONTRIBUTIONS. [per press association.! Wellington. March J 9.. In view of the evident confusion existing between the Belgian Relief Fund and the Belgian Commission Fund, it is interesting to note that the Hon. Janies Allen states that, all money sent through the Government will be forwarded to the High Com missioner, with instructions that he is not to dispose of it except after consultation with the Secretary of Slate for the Colonies, the object being to ensure the money subscribed reaching the purposes for which it is intended.