THE PRICE OF COAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13839, 27 August 1908, Page 6

THE PRICE OF COAL.

AN ALLEGED TRUST. STATEMENTS IN THE HOUSE. [BY TELEGRAra.— CO«P(i«SfOJ«W«f-3 Wellington, W«dTICI!dBJ. " Tn" view of tin* irorocrKso amount' of coal being raised in" the Auckland province, and the verv high charges being made, it <«» necessary, for the Government to step ,in at once" and tegulafc- matter in the interests of the people," aaid Mr. SWe 1 "* afternoon, in asking the Minister for Mine* whether ho intended to. open up * State coal mine in the Auckland district, and, if so, when. The Minister replied that the question of establishing State coal mines - in the lackland .district would receive conaideeation should the Government decide upon any general extension of its State coalmine* policy. ■ : .f ' _.- Just prior to this question " being a»*«l Mr. J. C. Thomson, membt\ for Wallace, had made toe statement that as much as 5s a bag had been charged for coal in Auckland during Fleet Week, the usual price, he said, being 3s. whilst.in. Wellington the price was Is 6d. . ■•'£.' Mr. Poole said that certain men m the North were doinfe their best k obtain con-, trol of the coal market there, and to get the highest possible figure from the consumers. It they were not restrained a close ring would be established before long, and people would have to pay an exorbitant figure for their teal. He believed that an attempt was being made to form a clow coal trust in tin 'North. Soma of the weaker merchants (if his information was correct-} had had overtures made to them to join in the trust-, and as they had refused an attempt was now being Wide to crowd them out. Th« result would probably be that the populace would have to pay any price that might be demanded for the coal. The present time was a magnificent opportunity for the Government to step in. He did not wish to obliterate private profits, but the companies, he urged., should be satisfied with fair returns. Mr. Alison said that Mr. Poole had isaid what was absolutely incorrect, when lieendeavoured to lead 'the House to believe that there was a coal trust in. the North, and that the price of coal there was exorbitantly high. Thi.-, statement had been corroborated to come extent by Mr. Thomson, but. he (Mr. Alison) did not know where a charge of 5? had been made for ] a bag of coal. '' Mr. Thomson: It- was at the house' I stayed in. "'Mr. Aiison: It is an extraordinary fact that in no part of the Dominion was coal ' so cheap as in Auckland. ,• Mr. Thomson: I paid it myself. Mr. Alison Said that the price paid by the Railway Department for steam coal was only 9s 6d at Auckland, as compared with 19a to 20s at Wellington. They were asked to believe that there wan a coal ring in the. North, and' that enormous profits were being made. In reply to this he could only say that the dividend paid .by the Taupiri Company, without making ap. allowance for depreciation, was only 7£ per cent., and the 20s shares were quoted at only 13s 6cl. Mr. Pottle's "'ambition seemed to bo to disparage and discredit all Auckland industries. So far as , the establishment of a Stat-? coal mine was concerned there was no place in New Zealand ■wdierc.it was iso imecesciiry as in Auckland. .." **•■ Mr. Poole: I made no reference to the Taupiri Company. "V' ,; Mr. Alison: No, you would not do it. Mr. Poole: The hon. member's reason for attacking me at the present time is that he is managing director of that company. Mr. Speaker: The lion, gentleman has no right to makee any reference to another member's private affairs. He must withdraw that remark. Mr. Poole: 1 withdraw it, sir. Mr. Poland said that Mr. Poole was correct in what ha had said. State coal was* sold in Wellington at 28s a ton, but in Paeroa 32s a ton was charged. The price there had increased 6s a ton during the past two years. There were very valuable coal deposits in the Auckland district, and there was no better field in the Dominion for State enterprise in regard to the establishment of a State coal mine.