MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

West Coast Times, 7 September 1915, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

MYSTERIOUS steamer.

GERMAN WAR-LIKE MATERIAL

Per Press Association.—Copyright.

BRISBANE, Sept, ti

News has been brought by the Tasman that a mysterious steamer was brought to - Batavia under convoy of Dutch deft rovers, it is alleged that a large quantity of arms and various parts of submarines were discovered aboard the vessel, which is being strictly watched. The Tasman also states that the Dutch authorities discovered German intrigues with the native population. CAPTURE OF GERMAN TRADE. SYDNEY, Sept. 6. In connection with the Empire movement for the capture of the trade formerely held by Germans, and also to develop local manufactures, over three

....tto.au shops ere displaying for a week Australian manufactured goods. During 1913 and last year for which the figures are available, Australia imported* £7,000,000 " worth of German manufactures. the FORTHCOMING BRITISH BUDGET. ANTICIPATION AS TO THE NEW TAXATION.

LONDON, Sept. 6. Speculation is rife as to the forthcoming budget. The anticipations include a wages tax, doubled income and supertax, higher meat and tobadbc duties, general import duties, the taxation of which varies on special articles. VOLUNTEERS OR CONSCRIPTS. SYDNEY, Sept. 6, Hoyle at a recruiting meeting glrve a warning, that unless men volunteered! they would have to go as conscripts. THE RABOUL RAID. SYDNEY, Sept. 6. Further statements regarding the Rabanl raid indicate that attempts were made by Germans to send money to help the Fatherland.

Natives over whom the Germans have

a great hold supplied i videnee of a plot to overthrow the administration and regain possession Vf the l-land. During the progress of a function, attended by the naval and military authorities, the Germans wore to rise and capture the whole party, but by being forewarned! the authorities nipped the scheme in the bud and arrested certain number of the men.

,lt is alleged that goods were imported marked as camera plates and implement, which a search disclosed to be arms of various descriptions. Another story is that a schooner was seized with arms and ammunition aboard. A quantity of important doen inputs w i re also seized. ANCLO-JAPANESE COMMERCIAL TREATY. BRISBANE, Sept. (!. ■Japanese files show that early in August the Japan Trade Association asked the -Minister of Foreign Affairs to scenic the inclusion of Australia and New Zealand iu the Auglo-.lapanese commercial treaty and to improve the relations with European and American countries in .onneetion with immigration. GERMANS IN HONG KONC. BRISBANE. Sept. 6. In connection with the expulsion of iermau residents and the prohibition of further dealing with German firms in Hong Kong, the businesses of a number of German firms have been acquired and re-opened by Britishers. FOR VALOUR. A HERO’S DEATH. (Received. Septa 7 at 0.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 6. The Victoria Cross has been awarded to Second-Lieutenant Sidney Woodroffe, of tlie Rifle Brigade. On HOth July, at Hooge, the enemy by meaas of burning liquids, broke through our front trenches knj heavily attacked Woodroffe’s position in the flank and rear. He defended the post until his bombs were exhausted, and then skilfully withdrew his remaining men, and immediately led a counterattack under intense rifle and machine gun fire. He was killed in the act of cutting wire obstacles.

BRITISH WEEK-END CASUAI/HE-S . LONDON, Sept. 6. The week-end casualties are, 169 officers and 3,921 men, including 746 Australasians.