Australia.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 283, 27 November 1914, Page 6

Australia.

ALLEGATION OF DISLoVaLTY.

FOUND TO BE NOT PROVED.

United Press Association. (Received 10?4(Ta,m.) Melbourne, November 27. Regarding the report that one bank had refused to allow its employees to volunteer, Mr Fisher (Premier) states that the superintendent of the Bank of Australasia saw him and pointed out that the Bank had already allowed a very large number of officers to go to the war in all the States and in New Zealand, and work could not be carried on efficiently if more went. A circular was sent out to this effect some / time ago,.also stating that,the officers must apply for leave before volunteering. In the case referred to in the press, the officer applied, and when lie was refused, he took the law into his own hands and resigned. In other matters the Bank had shown patriotism in subscribing liberally to the patriotic funds in Australia and New Zealand, and when officers had obtained permission to go to the front, the Bank had allowed full pay in addition to military pay.

CONTROLLING FLOUR.

(Received 10.(J5 a.m.)

Sydney, November 27.

In the Assembly Mr Hall moved the introduction of a Bill empowering the Government to tcompulsorily acquire the whole of" the wheat crop of the State fdr its sale and distribution and to provide for varying certain contracts. He then moved for the suspension of the Standing Orders to rush the Bill through. Mr Wade and others objected •to rushing through such an import .■wit measure, and there were some lively scenes.

The closure wag applied and the motion was carried by thirty-eight to thirty-one. Mr Hall, in a lengthy explanation, punctuated by many interruptions, detailed the Government’s intentions. He said he hoped they would not have to import. If they adopted the Bill they ( would not, but if th£y did not it would be necessary to import. He claimed that it was unlikely, that the price of wheat would rise until it became clear that importation would be necessary. He proposed to fix the purchasing price at five shillings-at country railway stations. At this price farm- ; ers were getting considerably more than in previous years. A higher rate would lie allowed for seed wheat! Where it was proved that farmers had entered into a contract to sell wheat before September Ist provision is made to vary the 'contracts. The Government were opposed to limiting the increase in price of bread to a halfpenny per loaf. The Bill would lie administered by a board. Mr Wade moved an amendment for the insertion of words providing for the payment of the fair market value as compensation for wheat acquired. This was negatived by thirty-seven to twenty-seven. t The Bill was introduced, carried to the second reading stage, and adjourned till Tuesday.