TRUSTS AND THEIR METHODS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 225, 23 September 1907, Page 4

TRUSTS AND THEIR METHODS.

How true it is that "those whom the gods wish to destroy they first deprive of reason." Jiist when public attention has been so pointedly called to the operations of the milling trust, its members have chosen to attract still greater notice to themselves and their methods. In the very teeth of public opinion, and as if to show how indifferent they are to it, they have still further raised the price of flour. Now, their actionJnay or may not be justified by the price of wheat; that is not the aspect of the case we are at present concerned about. Possibly very good reason can be shown for the increase; that at any rate is a matter for discussion. But to make the advance just at the present time, when public opinion is so strongly adverse to their methods, is palpably unwise. The trust would appear to be courting destruction—riding for a fall. It is surprising if Parliament does not take spme^notice of the present situation. The' late Prime Minister promised an anti-trust law, and such an enactment is not only badly needed, but may now be hurried on. Another combine; that of the Coal "Vend," has now come into existence in New South Wales. Our cables inform us tliat it is designed to " regulate " prices, regulation of prices,being of course raising'them to a higher level. These combines are never known to " regulate" their charges on a descending scale. The title; " Vend " is an obscure one, but as "trust" and "combine " are unpopular terms, probably its founders considered an archaic term would not be so well understood. Whatever it may be called, however, it is a menace to the public welfare. But if it tends to create a strong desire upon the part of the people of Australasia for nationalising the coal mines it will have indirectly done good service. Meanwhile it is gratifying to know thdt an anti-trust law exists in Australia. It remains to be seen whether its provisions can be made to apply to the Vend.