1 JULY 1916, Page 10

The Australian Commonwealth Government have bought fifteen cargo steamships in

the British market, and have set up as shipowners. The vessels will be called "The Commonwealth Government Line." Mr. Hughes stated that, as freights threatened to become prohibitive, this secured the safest and cheapest way to make sure of bringing the " record " Australian wheat harvest to Britain. The Times says that the purchase price represents about £19 per ton. The price before the war would have been about E4 per ton.