IN AUSTRALIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 12 February 1915, Page 5

IN AUSTRALIA

SYDNEY, Feb. 11. , Tho Hon. W. A. Holman promised to inquire into the cabled reports of distress in Servia, and if they "were found to be correct, to do all possible to render assistance. . .. 'A. meeting .of representatives of all-the sporting organisations. resolved that steps should be taken to_ impress upon sportsmen. the duty of immediately responding to the Empire's call by enlisting, or,, if that is impracticable, entering into active training. * A committee was formed, and public meetings are being arranged. Tho Imperial authorities cabled to the Government suggesting the requisition of the stock supplies of the State on behalf of the Imperial Government .The details of the proposal have not yet been disclosed, but it is presumed they are similar to the action recently adopted in. Queensland. It is anticipated that Mr. Holman will inform the House to-night. MELBOURNE, Feb. 11, In view of the anticipated large short|age of supplies, Mr. Tudor has remitted )by £1 per ton the duty on bTan, pol- . lard, and oaten hay.

ALLEGED TRADING WITH THE ENEMY. (Received 10.30 a.m.). ADELAIDE, This Day. At the preliminary hearing of the charge against Snow of trading with the enemy, accused-was committed for trial; Bail was granted in two sureties of £SIOOO each, and a personal bond of a like amount. PRICE OF BREAD. (Received 10.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. The , Commodities Commission considers that the price of bread is not excessive. GERMANS FROM RABAUL. (Received 10.30 a.m.) " SYDNEY, This Day. Another party of German civil officers from Rabaul, with their wives and families, totalling twenty-six, leave for America by the Venture on' Saturday. WOOL EMBARGO MODIFIED. (Received 9.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. I't is announced that the wool embargo has been modified, and that it is possible to ship wool to America under certain conditions, which are not announced. „

ONLY "WASTERS" BEING DISCHARGED. | (Rebeived 9.§0 a.rii.J | MELBOURNE, This Day: Senator Pearce, referring to the ap- I proaching arrival of soldiers discharged from the ranks' of the Expeditionary Force!, states tliat a ihan of high spirit and ulirulv disposition often makes the best soldier iil the firing line. For this reason it was only absolute "wasters, with whom it was impossible to do anything, who were being discharged from the raiiks. i securing meat supplies. IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT AND AUSTRALIA. (Received 10.30 a.m..) SYDNEY, This Day. Mr Holman, in introducing an Emergency Bill to secure control of the meat supplies of New South Wales for purposes. of the Imperial Army should occasion. arise, explained that Sir Gerald Strickland, the Governor, had' received a cable from the Imperial authorities stating that, in view of the largely increased demand on Army purchases by the French Government, and also in order to prevent an excessive advance in the price of Australian meats, England desired to secure the whole of the Australian meat available for export during the continuance of the war. Mr Holman asked New South .Wales to co-operate in similar action already taken by Queensland. The Queensland Bill provides for the seizure of stock, and compensation for same by a Valuation Board having full powers. Where previous contracts are in existence the price paid, though ueuallv higher than contracts, will be absolutely fixed by the Board in order to avoid bogus contracts being made for the purpose of obtaining a higher price. Mr Ilolman added: "We are invited, to show our loyalty to the Imperial Government in the hour of crisis. It is believed that the British Government _is only protecing itself against emergencies which might arise in the fuure. We are prepared to stand behind- the Empire with the last man and the last shilling." . The Bill passed all stages in the. Assembly and the Legislative Council without opposition.