THE COAL "VEND."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12935, 15 October 1907, Page 9

THE COAL "VEND."

_t» m suitor or "the miss." ♦hSJ! , r Co , nßßctod with the coal trade ' .-ta_K_ h H. JWtt fprnieU recently in Aus•Wk;* >"?*■• in °ther words. » i^2i'<„""?>' or 'trusf; ami it ~. J» (>»& right that the consnmora of ''■' _2___L-r ew Zealand should be enSt thT»« t)lon, T™- Jt is sur P"- s- ---?» wJ *«5 i B , ut 4 K&* *°>* thnt it ' Mr LLI !i i to *_• w,it<?r will p nt rtnmi *u ,e faot * thnfc niav possO.lv wSted th.wP u l° l, °l>" l .v- is *■* VikX 3- twl # 1h, . ! ox^ns « « >f •hitii,, ' &'* to ° ■«?« extent, of WCntl mTO «rci_l wiii.tritts; and it ** n "* a «««d intention of some,

if not many, of our legislators to prevent the growth of a similar state of things in our Dominion. Yet thero has been no definite action taken by any one of them. What has been clone by such champions of tho people as Mr 11. 0. Ell, Mr G. Laurenson, to say nothing of others, in combat against this "vend," which is but another tenof the huge octopus that is putting its stifling grip upon the commerce and industries of this country. It is hardly necessary to name this ortoptw. It is well known as the "Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand." to every' business man who tries to assert the soul within himself and remain independent. It is the company that tries to exploit this country for tho e.o!e ani absolute benefit of the shareholders who are largely absentees. And now, Sir, for some of the facts of the case. The Sooratic method shall be used to a large extent. Is not the Union Steam Ship Company a large buyer of coal from tho Newcastle mini*? Does not the company favour certain firms which hare in tho nast aceiimiilotcd large fortune? under its bo'sterinj*, care? Is it not a fact that inert well-established Newcastle mines will not supply mil to any vessel that i$ not chartered or sub-chartered by the Union Steam Ship Company? Have not new- firms, applying to these mints for cool, been referred back to the Union Steam Ship Company, and been compelled to buy coal from it at v price greater than that demanded from tho favoured few? Would not such action render it impossible -for the unfa you red ones to place coal on tho market at a price that would enable them to participate in the trade on lair terms? Have not certain firm-*, not in the 'Ting.'' applying to the Union Steam Ship Company for tonnage, been informed thnt, owing to tho he.ivy deumndti ou their space, ooal j coul'i not be supplied to any but lavoured tew, thereby keeping tho business in their hands, and enabling them to demand an extortionate price for cool? In these circumstances, what chance has any enterprising local firm to charter or buy vtvsels tor running coal of a marketable class, nnd so share in Urn business which is now held by the Union Steam Ship Company and ono or two large dealers, who, when interviewed, plended ignorance of any "personal" knowledge of the intended formation and objects of the "vend"? If they have no personal knowledge, are not the firms they represent "impersonal and consequently without consciences? And do not the answers given by them bear on the face of them, not a want of knowledge, but a desire to conceal knowledge? Was not a Coal Merchants' Association recently formed in Clnihtohutch P Is this another tentacle of the octopus? Did not this Association issue a circular to. all those in the coal trade, notifying them that, unless they joined the said Association by a specified date they would be charged an advance of 2s per ton on their wholesale rate? This, being so, how does it affect the consumer? Did not this Association .send delegates to Wellington to interview- the Minister for Mines regarding State interference with their business, .in placing State mine coal on the market? Did not the Minister meet them courteously? And is not his aotion, in supplying householders with a good coal at a rensonnblo price, to be endorsed and applauded? Does not tha Union Steam Ship Company, properly speaking, stand in the relation of common carriers to tho general public P Why, then, should the company refuse some the treatment that it extends to tho favoured few, if it be not to strengthen a monopoly that elready exists? Has not the Union Steam Ship Company declared that it earriea coal only in ita own bottoms P Why, then, has it chartered such vessels as the Port Stephen, aince lost, tho Largo Law, the Kaituna, and the Aymeric. if not to keep the coal-carry-ig business a monopoly in its own hands P The writer feare he has trespassed on your snace; but the importance of the unbleet is his excuse, and hi* hope, tha* the questions propounded may twuso others in places of authority to ''ilXu' .1.). l; ?w ■.■