ORIGIN OF IMPORTS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14236, 2 March 1917, Page 3

ORIGIN OF IMPORTS.

QUESTION OF ENEMY GOODS,

STILL ON SALE IN SYDNEY

'Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.)

(Received March 2, 11.25 a.m.) MELBOURNE, March 2.

In the __Ibuse of Representatives Mr Palmer moved the adjournment to discuss the importation of benzine and kindred products by enemy "or alien com. panics. He said that by medium of these concerns Germany was kept well acquainted with. Australian affairs. A British Oil Company, represented by a number of interlocnting companies, had ;. managing director ' variously described as a Dane, a Dutchman or German. He resided m Holland. .

Mr Hughes said he had grave reason to believe that the only thing British about the company was • the name. He gave an assurance to root out German trade. '

A deputation of Associated Chambers of Commerce urged Mr Hughes to postpone for all time the proclamation^ prohibiting the sale of enemy good^. If carried into effect hundred.** of thousands nounds' 'worth of goods bought before the war would be unsaleable.

Mr Hughes replied that the Government was considering a solution of the problem.