IN AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17097, 21 February 1916, Page 8

IN AUSTRALIA.

LIQUOR RESTRICTIONS. SATISFACTION IN SYDNEY.

By Telegraph—Prees Asjcciifion—Copyright SYDNEY, February 19. ' The 6 p.m. closing proclamation has been served on clubs. General satisfaction is expressed at Mr Pearce's prompt and courageous action. Mr Holman advocates wet canteens in camps on English lines.

LESS DRUNKENNESS. SYDNEY, February 20. The official figures disclose a big decline in the charges of drunkenness and indecent language since the six o'clock closing. Three days produced fewer charges than one intermediate clay when the hotels were left open.

(Received Februarv 20. 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 20.

The Cabinet to-morrow will discuss State action in connection with liquor. It is understood that a definite and mor,e advanced scheme than that which Mr Holman previously was prepared to give will be forthcoming.

WHEAT FOR ALLIES. PAYING FULL LONDON PRICE. MELBOURNE, February 19. Referring to the wheat shipments for the Imperial authorities, the Minister of Agriculture announced that in reply to D the offer of a 'further 100,000 tons it has been notified' that the Allies have decided to co-ordinate, the purchase of food supplies, and have formed an Allied international food purchase commission, which is purchasing wheat in single cargoes as they are offered, and is paying the full Loudon price for Australian wheat.

RECRUITING DECLINES. ENLISTING IN SPECIAL CORPS STOPPED. (Received February 20. 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. February 20. Recruiting lately has declined considerably. This is attributed largely to the fact that those who answered "yes" on the war cards are waiting to be called up. To check the tendency to enlist in special corps, the authorities announce that all must enlist for general service. If there isv an opening in the chosen corps, the recruit will be allotted to it.

PRICES INCREASED. (Received February 20, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. February 20. The Commodities Commission has increased the prices of jam and kerosene.

FARMS FOR SOLDIERS.

A SCHEME ADOPTED. • (Received February 20. 11.40 p.m.) MELBOURNE, February 20. The inter-State conference adopted a scheme for s'ettling returned soldiers on the land based on the War Committee's proposal, which includes a provision that the Federal Government is to provide the necessary funds, in the shape of a loan to the various States' of money to advance to applicants, the

interest not to exceed 3i per cent on the first year and increasing a $■ per cent each subsequent year till the full current rate is reached, with a special liberalisation of the repayment conditions in order to provide for subsidiary requirements. The public are to he invited to subscribe in cash or kind to a special repatriation fund. Soldiers who enlisted but were not sent to the front are to be given the same privileges as those who have returned. The scheme also proposes the immediate establishment of training farms and special liberalisation.