AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16267, 28 June 1916, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

TOTAL OF CASUALTIES. 452,618 FIT MEN LEFT. SYDNEY. JUNE 27. The total Australian casualties are: Dead, 8209 wounded, 19,657 missing, 936 sick, 22,869; prisoners, 67 ; nature casualty unknown, 295. The Federal Statistician reports that there are 452,618 fit men in the Commonwealth between the ages of 18 and 44 who have not enlisted or, if enlisted, have not yet gone into camp. A last chance will be given those who have failed to return their census card, and if this chance be neglected prosecutions will follow.

NAVAL COALING CORPS.

NO STRIKE AGREEMENT. MELBOURNE. JUNE 27. The Coaling Corps will commence operations on July 1. The agreement provides that under no circumstances will work cease or a strike extend to the battalion while engaged on a naval vessel. The agreement gives the Navy Department first call on the labour of each member. The union officials are given . honorary rank in the Naval Reserve.

It was announced in April that the Australian Defence authorities were forming a naval coaling battalion for coaling transports. Mr. Jensen, Minister for the Navy, stated that the action was due to the way in which transports had been delayed by labour troubles. Three hundred men were sworn in. .They-wear a distinctive uniform and arc paid at union rales.