AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16039, 4 October 1915, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

PRAISE FOR TROOPS.

DEFENCE MINISTER'S CLAIM.

(Received October 3. 8-30 p.m.)

Sydney, October 3.

Mr. G. F. Pearce, Australian Minister for Defence, in speaking at a banquet last night, remarked that it had been said that Australian soldiers were the best equipped of those stationed in Egypt. No other part of the Overseas Dominions had put the amount and materials into the war that Australia had. x The war had tested the patriotism of trades unionism, but they had found it really true right through. They had had to ask unionists to waive for some time principles that were dear to their hearts, but they had never asked in vain.

NEW METAL- EXCHANGE.

EFFECTS CRITICISED.

Sydney, October 2.

.A prominent director of mining companies declares with knowledge and deliberation that the Imperial and Commonwealth authorities, in holding up all the Australian supplies of wolfram, molybdenite, scheelite, and other alloys used' in making munitions of war, are playing into the hands of the enemy. Owing to the creation of a new metal exchange and the fixing of prices, nearly £100,000 worth of metal used for munitions is locked up.

CASUALTIES TO DATE.

NEARLY 5000 DEATHS. (Received October 3, 2.30 p.m.) Sydney, October 3. The Australian war casualties to date are as follows:— Dead : .288 officers, 4610 men. Wounded: 473, 13,718. Ill: 237, 4600. Missing: 28, 1630. Prisoners : 5, 43.

UNIVERSITY SOLDIERS.

OVER 700 FROM SYDNEY,

(Received October 3, 2.30 pan.)

Sydney, October 3.

Altogether 742 graduates and undergraduates of the Sydney University are on active service.

PAPUA'S CONTRIBUTION.

MEN AND MONEY.

Brisbane, October 2.

- Six per cent, •of the - British population of Papua has enlisted, and the war funds raised- in the territory total £2000. ■.'..";