AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLV, Issue 13437, 30 April 1918, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

[By SLwnuo TauNßAra—Oor**io«r.J

(Pkb Pmm Association.)

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Amu.) Received April 80, at 8.66 aan. Melbourne, April 80. A wireless from Batavia states that the Dutch shipping companion wo not willing to resume their sailings to British ports, not because the Allied guarantees ore insufficient, but because certain differences between the Britkli and Indian Governments and the companies are unsettled. Hobart, April 80. The local option poll on the question* of continuance and' reduction, taken over forty country municipalities, proved disappointing to temperance advocates. A very small minority of votes were polled, and the statutory requirement that 26 per cent, of those on the roll 'must vote rendered the polls abortive in nearly every case. Received April 30, at 0.80 p.m. Sydney, April 80. War Loan, and Red Cross subscriptions are still coming in. The former is now over over £48,000,000. while of the latter there are hopes that it will reach tho vicinity of half a million. Melbourno. April 80. The Defenco Department is elaborating a scheme for reorganising ojntl strengthening the citieen fomw. 1 i is proposed to call for volunteers, including men of mature age, for homo service during the currency of tho war. Such volunteers must bo between the ages of 21 anil 60 years, who are declared medically unfit or otherwise ineligible for serbice abroad. The minimum cnitip training will be sixteen' days, but preference will be given to those volunteering for longer jwiodn.