PRESS CRITICISM.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume L, Issue 9047, 20 March 1906, Page 5

PRESS CRITICISM.

(Received March 20, 9.26 a.m.) ' . SYDNEY, March 20. Regarding rebates the Commission says it is freely stated that a combine already exists, by which passenger arid cargo rates under steamship owners in the federation, are regulated. Its extent may be gauged from the fact that out of 180,000 ton® engaged in. the interstate traffic less than 10,000 tons is outside the ring. Evidence was given that .any departure from the agreement under the combine involved the forfeiture of rebates on the whole year'si transactions.

The Herald, commenting on the report, says the taxpayer may perhaps be excused if he regrete so much time and money has been expended on the collection of wellknown facts and airy, theories. The Telegraph says the peculiarity 'of the report i« that it completely ignores the project of a Commonwealth owned line and ovemsea mail steamers, which the Labor pax*ty ha& so insistently advocated. It considers that the conditions proposed by the Commission will almost certainly have the effect of excluding British, and foreign shipping from our coastal trade, the avowed object being to build up a local mercantile marine. It instances as a lurid example of this policy the United! States, which has seen its mercantile marine almost extinguished by this very process.