IN AUSTRALIA

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1939, Page 5

IN AUSTRALIA

ALL SURPLUS PRODUCE

TAKEN BY BRITAIN

(Australian Press Association).

' CANBERRA, September 6

The, British Government has informed the 'Commonwealth that it will buy the’ whole of the Australian surplus of butter, meat and tanned fruit, including pineapples. It is expected that arrangements will also be made for the disposal to Britain of the entire surplus, of wool and wheat. Mr Mehzies has announced that the British Government "lias agreed to purchase the entire Australian wool clip in addition to the dairying products as cabled earlier, but that Britain probably would not be able to buy the whole exportable surplus wheat. AUSTRALIAN CABINET. CANBERRA, September 6. There is no likelihood at present of the formation of a National Government in Australia nor of a coalition with the Country Party. The United Australia Party has decided to maintain its separate entity.

The-Labour Party js pledged to support the Government in measures designed for the welfare and safety of the Australian people. Australia’s war organisation will, however,' be placed under the control of a War Cabinet, the personnel of which will bo anhounce.d shortly.

REFUGEE’S PREDICTION.

MELBOURNE, September 5,

A British liner arrived to-day with 497 passengers, including refugees from the Continent. They had heard of the outbreak, of war while at sea.

Czechs and Slovaks who were aboard are pledged to return and join the Sokol Legion to fight with Britain for the restoration of their independence. The spokesman for the, refugees declared that Germany was going to get a shock before long. He said: “Our legion intends to join 6,000,000 Social' Democrats and 5,000,000 Communists in Germany, and at the first defeat suffered by Germany, they will strive to deal a death-blow from within.” SAMOAN MOBILISATION. APIA. September 4. On receipt of tlie declaration of war, the local defence force was mobilised, and steps were taken to intern some enemy nationals. Emergency regulations have been issued, stabilising fo'xl prices, and controlling the petrol and oil fuel supplies.

MILITIA MOBILISATION. CANBERRA, September 6. The complete mobilisation of the 78,000 militiamen in Australia in drafts of 10.000 each, was ordered tonight by the Prime Minister (Mr R. G. Menzios).

~ The' object of restricting the drafts to 10,000 was to avoid the dislocation of business. Mr Menzies pointed out that universal training could now operate under the Defence Act, but it was not immediately practicable to train and equip additional troops.