AUSTRALIAN NEWS,

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15824, 22 January 1915, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS,

WHEAT ACQUISITION ACT.

TRADE MAKES A PROTEST.

By Toicsraph-Presg Association—Copyright.

Sydney, January 21. A meeting of the wheat trade carried an emphatic protest against the administration of the Wheat Acquisition Act, particularly regarding the unfairness of giving four agents a concession for trading in chick-wheat, while others were debarred. A Labour League, of which the name is not given, in communicating with Mr. Ashford, commends the seizure of wheat, and suggests that the Government should se.ze wool in the same ws.y. Mr. Ashford says legislation on the matter is unlikely at present.

TEMPERANCE CAUSE GAINS.

MINERS BOYCOTT • BEER.

(Received January 21, 9.35 p.m.)

Std.vet, January 21. Since early in the month, the miners in 10 towns in the Maitland, New South Wales, goldfield area, have been on strike against the increased price of beer. The boycott is being maintained by extensive picketing. Temperance advocates are suecessfully campaigning, and have induced over 300 men to sign a six-months' pledge.

DROUGHT AND WAR.

EFFECT ON RAILWAYS.

(Received January 21, 9.35 p.m.)

Stdxet, January 21. As a result of the late drought and of the war, there has been a serious decrease in the railway earnings. To meet this, the time-tables are being revised and the service reduced so that a million train miles will be saved annually. Many temporary hands have been discharged, and probably the whole of the remainder will go. The office branch has contributed 237 men to the expeditionary forces, and other branches considerable numbers. The places of these men have not been filled.

DEATHS CAUSED BY HEAT.

CONDITIONS IX SYDNEY.

Stdxet, January 21. The heat wave « increasing in intensity. 1 fares deaths have occurred in Sydney from heat apoplexy.

(Received January 21. 9.35 p.m.

The weather is cooler, though the thermometer still. registers over 100 degrees. Soft drink, sellers are doing a large trade. *

PUBLIC ANTS' UNION.

DECISION TO REGISTER

. Std.vet, January 21. As the resnlt of a ballot the" Public Service Association of New South Wales has decided to become a registered trade.

EMPLOYEES' BIFLE CLUB.

SYDNEY FIRMS MOVE.

Stdxet, January 21. The first business firm in Sydney to form a rifle club for its employees is Farmer's. Limited.

CONTRACT CLAUSE DISPUTE.

INDIGNATION AROUSED.

Melbourne, January 21. The president of the Chamber of Manufacturers, replying to the remarks of Mr. J- A. Jensen, Assistant-Federal Minister for Defence anent the new clause in the defence contracts, said that the Minister had chosen a time of national crisis to insert the new clause. "To threaten internment to anyone opposing it is an incident more appropriate to the German Fatherland than to Free Australia," declared the president.

The Australian Chambers of Commerce and Manufactures recently decided not to sign the new clause in defence contracts permitting Trades Hall representatives to visit premises where contracts were being carried out. Mr. Jensen thereupon warned the president of the chamber that he was standing on very thin ice. He stated that the Department would not allow itself to be threatened, and suggested that persons had been interned for making statements concerning the Empire less strong than the president's remarks.

FAMOUS TENNIS PLAYER.

THE GAME IN AMERICA.

Stdntbt, January 21.

The international lawn tennis representative, Norman Brookes, who returned by the Osterley, states that the Davis Cup contests aroused tremendous enthusiasm in America, where the game is very popular. America is also- producing some fine players, says Brookes, who intends to return to England after the war to defend the British championship. He declares that tennis form in England is below that of previous years, the trouble being that tho game is not encouraged in the public schools.

HIGH PRICE OP MEAT.

ASSIGNING THE CAUSES.

Sydney, January 21.

A conference between the Commodities Commission and representatives of the trade has opened to discuss the causes of the high price of meat.

The various causes assigned are the increased population, decreased flocks and herds, the drought, the increased demand for choice cuts, the advance of trade wages, and the increased export to supply the war's demands.