COAL TEND CASE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7849, 11 July 1911, Page 5

COAL TEND CASE

OPENING OF DEFENCE ADDRESS BY COUNSEL. By Te'etrraph—Prcss Association —Copyright, (Received July 10, 0.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 10. Tho hearing of the Coal Vend case was resumed to-day. Mr Knox, senior counsel for tho defendant colliery proprietors, opened his address. He argued that it was impossible to monopolise Newcastle coal, as, except for gas-making, it had been shown by the evidence that other coals were as good. Where action was taken to preserve trade, with tho intention of ensuring fair and proper remuneration for all engaged therein, it was not an offence against the Act. After dealing with figures showing that tho profit to tho owners was only a shilling a ton, he submitted that uo court should interfere with tho conduct of au industry by people who understood it. Ho conceded that a combination of colliery proprietors was necessary in the interests of the mines, and also in the interests of tho shipping industry. Ho maintained that if the Newcastle colliery owners lowered tho price of cool every competitor in Australia would bo crushed out of existence. There had been no evidence to show tho defendants’ profits, and even if there had been how was the court going to say whether or no? they were excessive? No detriment would arise from an increased price unless it were raised out of all proportion to the intrinsic value of tho article.