THE COMMONWEALTH

Timaru Herald, Volume CVII, Issue 16617, 23 August 1918, Page 5

THE COMMONWEALTH

BANK AMALGAMATION". Australian and N Z. Cable Assn. MELBOURNE, August 22. The directorates of the NatiD ml and Colonial ■ Banks of Au'-tralasia have diaftcd a scheme for the amalgamation of the two institutions which will portly be submitted for the approval of shareholders. The new institution be called the National Bank of Australasia. It will hpve a paid-up capital of £2.000,000 with a nominal capital of £5.000,000 by the readjustment and the re-issue of shares to tho present holders. I-AIPERIAL WOOL PURCHASE. The Government has made a further pavment to wool growers, amountin"to £G,094,000. TREASONABLE ASSOCIATION. SYDNEY, August 22. j The heariug of tho oases of tho interned Irishmen is proceeding. Tho evidence so far has chiefly reiated to documents, seized at tho residences of soino of the- internees, regarding the formation and progress of the Irish National Association in Australia, spreading propaganda, and collection and transmission of funds. Amongst other documents was a quantity of corresl.ondonee with America, and instru<:lions how to read certain letters written in invisible ink. Some of the letters indicated a movement to secure freedom for Ireland from England. One document labelled recipe for severe attack of cold was deel'irod by the police to b.vKlorjt'.cjil'witli a formula the- I.W \v. men had for the purposo of destroying property.*

STRIKE AT PORT PIRI. Owing to a strike at Port Pirie four mines at Broken Hill have been closed, causing 5000 men to be idle. .