CONTROL OF METALS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8203, 28 July 1915, Page 5

CONTROL OF METALS.

Mr Hughes, .Fedora.? Attorneyfieneral. has-made n. Further statement about .the, control 'oC metals.. He quotes extracts from a letter, written by Morton'? from London in May, 7010. to the Metallgesellschaff; in Prnnkfort-on-Maino. suggesting a convention -or arranpo.mont. whereby "wp wonld be in. a position to regulate and control the market and Eiide oiir or>era-

tions from x dealers and brokers, and gradually make them afraid to interfere." Mr Hughes adds that the method suggested was approved, and from then the German control of the British xnarket was complete. This gives an idea as to how Morton's and the Lead Convention worked. Ho quotes cablegrams of February 2 to March 11 last, covering offers from a British firm of excellent standing and in a, big way of business to the Broken Hill Proprietary Company to purchase its lead. The firm's agent offered terms similar to Morton's, at the same- time suggesting certain alternative proposals. The 'firm's cablegram' to its Australian agent asked: "Do the directors suppose that British consumers would prefer dealing with a nest of German Jews ? The whole trade would welcome dealing with us. The suggestion is impossible."- The firm added that it had to guarantee to produce evidence that consumers of 50.000 tons would prefer it to Merton's.

• Mr Hughes adds: "No business resulted, yot tho Broken 11"111 Proprietary would have the public believe that the company was eager to deal with British buyers.'' He goes on to say that as ;i result of persistent pressure by, the Federal Govern incut the Broken Hill Proprietary was induced fro give three months' notice., expiring on June .30 last, of withdrawal from the Lead Convention, and terminating the contract with "Norton's.

Coming to the Broken Hill Associated Smelters' Company's offer of Saturday last to r-AI lead to the British Government, which the Federal Government has approved of, Mr Hughes says:—"This is not enough. It is just as patriotic to supply genuine British ■manufacturers of munitions as the War Office." He describes the efforts made to show that Merton's is an English firm' and the' agent of the War Office and the War Office as tactics by. which it is hoped to confuse the mind of the public. Merton's 'unscrupulous methods have driven out all.rivals.- .The.,Govern^ :ment had only " Hobson's choice," to buy through Merton's. Mr Hughes cone-hided by saying:—" It is essentinl that all metallic wodncts in Australia nnd elsewhere should pass through British channels. While Morton's influence lasts, German control is assured. We nynsfc destroy it and those supporting it."