AUSTRALASIAN BASE HOSPITAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3239, 12 April 1916, Page 20

AUSTRALASIAN BASE HOSPITAL.

LONDON, April 8. The arrangements to make the prin* cipal Australian and New Zealand hos= pital base in the south of France are likely to be immediately reviewed. The overseas medical men point out that the wounded soldiers were brought to England in winter, and it is now proposed to go to the heat of a south of France summer hospital. The arrangements for the treatment of " Anzacs" in England were com= pleted regardless of expense, and are in excellent working order. The ladies of England are also saving valuable voluntary assistance, which would be lost if thg men were sent to France. Probably the decision will be re= versed in favour of the wounded com= ing to Wimereux and thence to Eng= land. Sir T. Mackenzie and the Australian officials oppose the movement to send the men to France. [Wimereux is a town in the north of France, about two miles north of Boulogne, and is frequented for sea-bathing. It is on the English Channel, and within easy distance of Dover.]

ECONOMIC CONFERENCE.

LONDON, April 8.

Mr W. M. Hughes (Prime Minister of Australia) has recovered from his recent illness.

The Daily Mail, in a leading article, says the Government is removing all obstacles in the way of Mr Hughes attending the Paris Conference. Mr Hughes declined to discuss the matter, and awaits developments. The Times says : " It is good news that the Government is prepared to avail itself of Mr Hughes's services. He knows the sentiments of the peoples overseas, and it must be remembered that before the Empire can make arrangements with its allies it must devise an Imperial trade policy. The Daily Chronicle rejoices that Mr Hughes will attend the conference, but warns him against the fervid advances of newspapers who loathe the ideal for which he stands and yet fall effusively upon the neck of a Labour Prime Minister. The Westminster Gazette hopes that the dominions will accept Mr Hughes as

their 'spokesman, though actually he is no more than the representative of Australia.

Other papers favourably comment upon the Government's decision.

The Financial News, in a leading article, says: "Mr Hughes's progress is as enlivening as a North Country functionary called the "Knock up." He has stirred public opinion as it has never been Ftirred since the war began. He is a real li\e Imperial statesman, determined upon a clean sweep of the Teuton. This is the last thing Whitehall desires, but the country wants Mr Hughes in the Cabinet because he knows what John Bull is after and is leading straight for the goal. The Evening News, in a cartoon under the heading, " We don't want to lose you, but think you might go," depicts *Mr Asquith as handing Mr Hughes his overcoat, hat, stick, and a ticket marked " Return to Australia."

The Daily Telegraph declares that Mr Hughes represents the spirit of -*the dominions to a degree unsurpassed by any public man in the Empire. The Daily Chronicle's Labour correspondent says: "Mt Hughes's bait is tempting, but the Australian ideas of State are a little too crude for England. Australian Protection gives us ideas, but is incapable of giving the British worker a better state of things."

VUM HINDENBURG'S JUBILEE

'GREATEST MODERN GERMAN." AMSTERDAM, April 8.

The German press, in eulogising Marshal von Hindenburg on celebrating the jubilee of his military service, depicted him as the saviour of his country, and the greatest German of modern times. A curious allusion was made to his political part after the war. He was the recipient of thousands of messages, the senders including the rulers of Austria, Turkey, and Bulgaria. The Kaiser sent his portrait in oils.

In a telegram describing von Hindenburgs deeds in the field as historical, the Kaiser said : "I am in agreement with the army and the entire Fatherland when I assure you that our gratitude and recognition of all you have accomplished will never die."

GENERAL NEWS

LONDON, April 7.

The Dutch Government has requested Great Britain to return the securities and coupons seized on Dutch'vessels.

The Victorian and Tasmanian Agentsgeneral will attend the Commercial Congress at Paris. At the Active Service Exhibition for Red Cross at Knightsbridge a band plays Lissauer's " Hymn of Hate " thrice daily. The audience are amused, and buy copies freely.

The calling un of single men has been completed. The latest class com= prises those who had been called up and are in training for home service until they attain the age of 19.

The match manufacturers have resolved that the tax is unworkable financially, and they are compelled to suspend sales. The trade is consequently at a standstill; not a match has been delivered since Tuesday.

At a Navy League luncheon Baron San Severino, a distinguished Italian merchant, aaid that while British manufacturers and exporters ignored Italian tastes, the Germans studiously ministered thereto. He hoped that this carelessness would be dispelled. There must be economic and commercial unity as well as military. AMSTERDAM, April 7.

In the Reichstag, Count Westarp, a Conservative, said that Germany's chief task was to force Britain and her commerce to destruction. Germany's military and political backbone was broken. He condemned America for supplying ammunition to the Allies. Germany was firmly resolved to disregard America's unjustifiable demands.

[Apparently the above message has been mutilated in transmission.]

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

MELBOURNE, April 8.

In appealing for more men, Senator Pearce expressed the opinion that Australia can produce sufficient men to enable her to supply an additional division. The War Council is urging the commonwealth to prosecute offenders giving insulting or evasive replies to the war census cards.

The Defence authorities are forming a naval coaling battalion for coaling trans ports. Mr Jensen, Minister for the Navy, states that this action is due to the way transports are being delayed by labour troubles.

Three hundred men will be sworn in during the coming week. They will wear a distinctive uniform and receive union pay.

SYDNEY, April 8

The New South Wales Legislative Council has decided not to insist or. its amendment in the Naturalised Subjects Franchise Bill. The Council had disagreed with the Assembly making disfranchisement permanent.