NEWS BY CABLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3313, 12 September 1917, Page 36

NEWS BY CABLE.

KILLING JOHN BARLEYCORN. The manufacture of whisky ceased at midnight on Saturday throughout the United States. The change- will vitally affect the food suppiy. It is estimated that 40 per cent, of the grain grown is distilled to make whisky. CANADIAN POLITICS. The War-time Election Bill provides for the disfranchisement of Germans and Au - trians naturalised in Canada during recent years, the enfranchisement of the wives and relatives of soldiers, and the disfranchisement of conscientious objectors. Mr Meighen has introduced in the Canadian House of Commons a War-time Elections Bill, providing for disfranchisement of aliens of enemy origin naturalised since 1802, and enfranchising the wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters of soldiers. The Bill was criticised because it makes an illogical distinction between women with relatives in the army and other women, though equally patriotic. Mr Meighen justified the disfranchisement of aliens, and quoted the precedent created by Australia prior to the last elections. IRISH CONVENTION. The Press Bnreau reports that the Irish Convention met in the City Hall, Belfast, and continued consideration of the draft schemes based on the Dominions' principle of self-government. GENERAL ITEMS. A terrible epidemic of typhus has occurred at Warenminkie, and has spread to Southern Denmark. The United States State Department has been informed that an earthquake occurred at Bogota, Colombia, by which 300 houses were destroyed. The number of casualties is not known.

It is officially announced that the-summer time-table in Great Britain will cease on the 17th inst., when the clock will be altered.

A correspondent in Abyssinia states that after a fierce battle near Dessie, Lij Yasu's army was routed and his best generals killed. The report that Lij Yasu was shot while escaping is not confirmed.

It is reported that the Nippon Yushen Kaisha is planning an extension of its trade, including a service between Vancouver and Hongkong, between Australia and Seattle and Tacoma, and between Bombay and Liverpool, via South Africa. The schedule will be started in April, 1918. The Bank of Australasia has declared a dividend of 14 per cent, and a bonus of 12s per share. £35,000 hav-e been added to the reserve, and £122,869 carried forward. - " AUSTRALIAN NEWS. In the Federal House of Representatives a new clause was inserted in the War Profits Tax Bill providing for the adoption of an arrangement between the Commonwealth and the Imperial and New Zealand Governments to avoid the double taxation "of firms having branches in both countries. The Bill was read a third time. The Bill repealing the Daylight Saving Act has been passed through all its stages by the Federal House of .Representatives. The steamer Morinda, which had to be scuttled at Sydney owing to an outbreak of lire in her cargo of copra, has been refloated.

The Now South Wales Estimates (which will be introduced during the coming week) will provide for an increase of the tax on betting tickets of Id to 2d. The Sydney police raided and took possession of the rooms of the I.W.W. The rounding-up of I.W.W. members continues. Four more were sentenced to six months' hard labour for disturbing a recruiting meeting. A fire at the Sydney Harbour Trust shed at Miller's Point destroyed copra valued at £IO,OOO.

A contract has been accepted for the erection of the Union Steam Ship Company's new offices at tho corner of George and Grosvcnor streets, Sydney, costing £150,000.

The Queensland Government has added £IOOO to the reward offered for information leading to the conviction of the person responsible for the fire on the steamer Cumberland, making a total of £SOOO. Tho shearers have officially declared thenstrike off, and all the sheds in Queensland are now shearing.