A SYDNEY LETTER.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 174, 28 August 1914, Page 4

A SYDNEY LETTER.

WAITING FOR WAR NEWS. Australians Volunteering Freely. EFFECT OF THE WAR UPON INDUSTRIES. From, Our Special Correspotident. SYDNEY, August 20. Sydney in war time is a A'ery different place from the old, happy-go-lucky, careless Sydney. And the lack of gaiety is not all due to the dearth of news of .a decisive nature from the theatre of war in Europe. Much of Sydney's anxiety is caused by the utter absence of news of Australia's own fleet.

Since they sailed away at the outbreak of hostilities, nothing has been I heard of H.M.A.S. Australia and her satellites. But rumour has not been idle, and, although at the censor's request none of these rumours have been published, the rapidity with which the rumours are circulated is astonishing. First it was reported that the Australia had been in action and sunk. This rumour came into existence on the day that the port of Sydney was completely closed for shipping; and it was soon elaborated with an exact account of two German cruisers which were outside the Heads, getting ready to shell Sydney. There was nearly a panic in Sydney that day; and the,whole thing was brought about by the action of a Customs officer who did not understand the new schedule of prohibited exports and, in consequence, declined to any steamers their clearances until he had worried the thing out.

A much more circumstantial rumour was circulated last w r eek, when it was said that the Australia had passed Brisbane on her way sou£h, and that she was bringing 400 wounded and prisoners to Sydney. So much was this believed that a number of people went to the Heads to see the battle-cruiser come in. But she has not arrived yet. Meanwhile, it is pretty generally believed that the cruiser Sydney and some destroyers have taken German New Guinea; also that the Melbourne and some other cruisers are patrolling the Tasman, and occasionally slip into Port Jackson at night and then slip out again. Of the Australia's whereabouts nothing is even guessed now, but it is hoped that she has gone to Samoa. One Sydney man expressed himself as follows.^ — 1 ' Well, I never knew how much I appreciated our flagship until now; I'd give anything to know where she is." So would many of the sweethearts and wives of the big cruiser's crew. MEN, MONEY, AND SHIPS. Everywhere there is talk of meu and money, money and men, and ships. So keen is the volunteering for the Expeditionary Force of 20,000 men that only single men are being taken —and, judging by the stamp of soldiers that are being licked into shape at Sydney, the Australian force should be a fine ojie. And on every hand there are funds being raised, and bands of workers organised to equip the men with every necessary, and to make provision for those they are leaving behind them.

Shipping is pretty well disorganised for the time being. Nearly every big steamer that comes into port is at once requisitioned for service as a troopship, for it' will take quite a flotilla to carry 20,000 men across the seas to the \var, or to whatever of Britain's or Germany's possessions they are to go to. The Adelaide Company's Grantala, 3655 tons, has been fitted out as a hospital ship. She is painted white with a brilliant green band, which indicates that she is a Government hospital ship. Other vessels requisitioned are the Aorangi, 4268 tons, Berrima, 11,120 tons, Tahiti, 7585 tons, Maunganui, 7527 tons, Willoelira, 7784 tons, Geelong, 7951 tons, Pera, 7635 tons, Ascanius, 10,048 tons, Euripides, 14,947 tons, Medic, 12,032 tons, Oevic, 8301 tons, Ilymettus, 4606 tons, Limerick, 6827 tons, Shropshire, 11,9.11 tons, Monowai, 3433 tons, ITawke's Bay, 3 0,641 tons, Star of India 7316 tons, Otaki, 7420 tons, Orvieto 12,130 tons, Omrah, 8130 tons, Karroo, 6127 tons, and Saldhana 4594 tons. Practically every overseas steamer that comes into the port is kept here. It will be a brave squadron that sails away with Australia's and New Zealand's armies that are going to help England. FIRST THOOPS TO GO.

On Tuesday, the first body of troops to go, a force of 1200, marched from the showground through the city to Fort Macquarie, near Circular Quay, to embark, it is reported, for some of Germany 's island possessions. They looked a splendid body of men, and, although the newspapers were not permitted to print one word about their departure, it is estimated that about 100,000 people watched them'march to the waterside. At Fort Macquarie, one of the biggest ferry steamers took them all on board; she looked like a heap of humanity as she steamed away, for the men were clinging to every part of her, they wanted to wave good-bye and cheer, instead of standing or sitting quietly in the saloons. The ferry took them to Cockatoo Island, where they were transhipped to the big troopship Berrima. And 24 hours later the Berrima steamed out of port, under sealed orders. This first instalment of Australia's quota were all infantry, excepting a Maxim detachment and their guns. It was a touching sight to see them go, saying good-bye'to their mothers or sisters or sweethearts, and the sadness of parting was intensified by the fact that no one knew where they were going to. Yet there is no resentment at the authorities' action in keeping everything dark. The people realise that the grim game is being played in the right way. England in the past has talked too much, they say; now she is -doing the right thing. Yet, what a weight of anxious wondering would be lifted from many a woman's heart if someone could but whisper to her one word that would tell her where her loved one was, or was journeying to. EFFECT ON TRADE. On the economic side the Avar is playing havoc Avith Sydney's commerce.- Every day employees are being discharged from factories which depend upon England and Germany for their semi-raw products. And, at the same