The Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 6. 1903. THE FLOUR-MILLING TRUST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12603, 5 March 1903, Page 4

The Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 6. 1903. THE FLOUR-MILLING TRUST.

From tinle immemorial, as the pages of history eloquently bear witness, the public has been extremely sensitive to any influence which threatens to increase the price of bread, and for this reason tlie operations of the New Zealand Flourmillfers' Association, commonly known as the Flour-milling Trust, eiigago more than, the amount [ of attention which is usually bestowed upon such commercial, enterprises, For some weeks past it had been actively rumoured that, owing to the unwillingness of a- number of the I former signatories to enter into a. new agreement—the old agreement [having expired at the end of last j month—the Trust would cease to exist, or, at anyrate, would only be able to operate in such ■ limited fashion as td no longer cause it to be regarded in any quarters as a menace to the piiblib weal. But, according' to tlie iriformatiofi we wefe

enabled to publish yesterday, it iieW project is on foot which demands the notice of the community. The Cause of the formation of the Trust-, in the first instance, as set out in the preamble to the agreement entered into by the associated millowners, is stated in the following terms: —"Whereas for many years the business of flourmilling in New Zealand has been carried on practically without profit and very frequently at a loss, largely owing to heavy expense of distribution in consequence of cach millownc-i' in the past having separately disposed of the products of his mill to buyers residing in various parts of the colony, and having for that purpose to maintain a separate staff of travellers, agents, and others, and to incur other expenses, which considerably increase the pl'ice at- which manufactured 1 articles can be placed upon the market, which circumstances, together with overproduction, have rendered Hie business Mot oiily practically profitless, but frequently a. source of loss. And whereas, unless the cost of distribution is lessened and the output made proportionate to tho needs of the community for consumption in this colon)', a larje- number of persons now engaged in the business will incur further heavy loss, and have to retire from it, leaving it in the hands of those who are longest able to bear the loss resulting from tlio unsatisfactory condition of the trade, and other consequences detrimental to manufacturers and consumers alike will follow." Now, we have reason to .believe that the deplorable state of things pictured in this preamble formerly had some foundation iii fact so far as the flour-milling industry in this colony is concerned. But it cannot be too strongly insisted upon that such a. condition no longer exists. On the contrary, thanks largely to the operations of the Trust, the flourmilling industry is now in a highly flourishing condition. A copy of the balance sheet just issued by one large milling firm shows that the net profit on the past year' 3 working amounts to over £18,000, and we have reason to believe that other flourmillers have been proportionately successful. We should ungrudgingly congratulate the millers on their good fortune, for every man is clearly entitled to due reward for the energy and ability displayed in the conduct of his Business, were it not for the evident signs, that tho dividend they have earned has whet-ted their appetites and made them hunger after larger profits, wlncn must ultimately coino out of the pockets of the consumers. Now, in discussing this subject some little time back, we expressed the opinion that the flourmillers were perfectly justified iii combining to regulate the price of (lour and thus check rccklcss competition and the pernicious practice of forward sales, which in the past has occasionally spelt ruin and bankruptcy. But when it is proposed by an influential combination to buy up two large mills at a. cost of over -■£30,000, with the avowed purpose of closing one of them, and of thus restricting the output, and by enhancing the price of flour to make the consumer pay the cost of the operation, a time has come when it- is necessary, 111 tile interests of the public, to utter a woi'd of stern -protest. Another matter on which a note of warning may profit-, ably be sounded is that rf the bakers' boycott, which is said to have been instituted against the non-associated millers at the instance of the Trust. When an association seeks to usei the baking trade as an instrument for the purpose of coercing millers who have withdrawn from its ranks into signing its agreement it is distinctly overstepping the mark and adopting methods that will not commend themselves to lovers of liberty and fair trade. The existence of an arrangement under which members of the Bakers' Association are pledged* not to piirclmss flour from anv millers who are not included in the Trust and under which tlio Millers' Association, in turn, binds itself not to supply flour to bakers who do not belong to the Association which has been formed in their trade is obviously fraught with mischief. Any steps which, in pursuance of this arrangement, are taken cit-liei- t-o force a miller to join the Trust or, if he is indisposed to do that, to crush him by depriving him of a market will, the Association may rest assured; be carefully watched. Wlidtever may have been the past of flour-milling in the colony, the industry now rests on a. sound basis, and is allegedly returning handsome profits. In their own interests the associated flourmillers ; should recognise that it will be a- mistake on their part to attempt to carry out their projected programme. With 1 every prospect of a bountiful harvest, the public will not bo content with : bread at famine prices; but it is fairly certain that if the scheme that is now 011 foot, is carried to a. successful issue bv the millers who are concerned in it the consumer will have ■ very little reason to Icok for any appreciable reduction in the cost of breadstuff® for the ensuing twelve months. The Now Zc.lland and Australian Land 1 Company's well-known Edendale estate, , sjoiitlilaml, has bet-n insjioetetl hy the members of the tail Pufehnse Board, ami it- is undnr.'tond will lie favourable roporfed oh to the Government as suitable for purchase ilnder the Land far Settlements Act, Provided the price of the property can lro arranged, it- is probable that the estate will bo secured for clo?c .settlement. Cr Lawrence complained ut last night ' meeting of Hie City Council that -works authorised'in Ward are oftentimes only partially carried out. 'J'he sum of £100 was voted lately for metalling Forth street, ami only part of (lie work was dono at a cost of £20 or £25. St. David street was in the Fame position, a-iid tho channelling iii Howo street lmtl not been attended to. Work in I>ith street was Siithorised some time ago. but liad not been touched. Cr Christie (chairman of the Works Conimittee) said that Lcith Ward 1 got more money than any other ward in . the city.—(Cr Muir: "Hear, hcav; they get more than they raise."). Tho Mornington Borough Council anticipate that a temporary tram service will be running to tlio borough in a few weeks. At last night's Oily Council meeting tho Mayor spoke, of the advisability of licensing strolling musicians. He was as fond of music as any man, he said, but it was too much to have it dished up for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and have to pay out all tho time. By licensing musicians of this ; kind on the Continent their numbers lia'l bi'eii very materially reduced, and lie was suro the money subscribed by citizens to llieso musicians would be more than sufficient to keep a citizens' band going all the ' year round. Cr Christie, raid ho would suggest that tho council seo to tho tuning of their instruments i ' 1

The weekly -meeting of the Benevolent Trustees, held .yesterday, was attended by , Mdssri P, tfeeeOst (chairman), H. Gourley, A. Tapper, 11. At.. Clafk, It. AVilson, W. Talboys, and W. Burnett. On tho motion of Mr Tapper, it Was resolved that the City Council be asked to provide work, such as clearing gorso and bfoonl from the Town Belt and reserves, for able-bodied men in the institution unable to sot work. On. tho suggestion of Mr Tallwys, it was dccided to approach Chinese residents in the matter of raising passage money to China for their fellow-countrymen in receipt of aid from tho trustees, as less ecstly to deal so with them than to maintain them for ;my length of time. The Secretary reported that three deatiw bad occurred since last meeting— tlioso of Francis Wilson, aged 1 71; Ellen Goklie, aged 60; and (Thomas M'Gregor, ' asied 72. Tlic return of outdoor relief cases for February showed 312 cases, comprising 121 men, 218 women, and 527 children, at a , cost of £105 Os 6d. For the corresponding month of last year there were 301 eases (114 men, 225 women, and 524 children), at ft cost of £93 ft; 6d. Accounts amounting to £253 13s were passed for payment, and 34 'oases of relief dealt with. A Greymouth resident advances ft nciv theory in connection with tha failure nf the Elingamito engines to work tho propeller. He suggest? that tho ecrcw had possibly become jammed with kelp. Writing tc tho Grey River Argus, he says:"l had an experlMiCD of this myself some years ago. I was chief (Migineti of the Star of tho South. Wo were oiv our voyage from Lyttolioii to Greymouth, and in pit-ring Cape Campbell one dark nieht—Hie sea was very calin, scarcely si ripta to be seen—when just abrcait of (!to lidil (lie enghte were lirought up standing and would not mov. I then reversed the engines to try {item, but failed, as they would not move. There was a great commotion on deck in consequence, And the captain called down the cngino room, 'For God's sake start tho engines, for wo are amongst the rocks.' But with steam oil the engines would not go cither ahead or astern! I then ordered tha turning gear to be shipped. We oou'.d not move the engines. After making half of a revolution we unshipped the turning gear, and gave her the stoam. The engines then got away, and we could fee! the propeller cutting it? way {hrough the kelp. We then managed to get clear of the rocks without touching any." At the quarterly meeting of tho Waihemo Licensing Committee, before Major Kbddell at Palmcraton yesterday, tho following transfers' were granted;— Empire Hotel, Falmcrston, Charles Burrell to .J. A. Duncan; Royal Hotel, Nasoby, A. B. King to Patrick Ryan. Mr Bailey appenred in support of both applications., The Postmaster-general of New Zealand has undertaken to bring under the notice of the International Postal Congress at Home next year a system devised by Mr 0. 11. Sliatly, of Hastings, to meet llio difficulty of obtaining stamps for replies to letters sent to distant countries, 'i'lio system is thus described hy the Napier Daily Telegraph:—"The form of the suggested stamp is a rather large-sized squaro with five, comMrtmeirls. It is headed. 'International Iveply Stamp.' On tho centra of the left side is a. blank space, on which tho local postmaster sticks tho Now Zealand stamp of necessary value. One of the spaces is loft for the impress and date stamp of tho Moscow office. The Russian post office is, of course, only used as an illustration; it is intended for EnglandAmerica, and every placo represented at Hie Koine Postal Conference. The mode of procedure would bs as follows:—A person in Hastings would bo writing, say, w Moscow. Ho would apply to the Hastings post Office for a, reply stamp This would bo sold to him. On the stamp would fce stamped, 'Issued at Hastings,' and the date. . Tho recipient in Moscow would take tho letter to tho post office there with the New Zealand stamp unattached, but inside tiie letter. Tho ifllcittl theii affixes anfttber stamp with 'Issued at Moscow' and the date, and it is then forwarded to New Zealand. The stamp originally sent froni Has- ' tings would be returned by the Russian ' CJovoriiment to New wliioh would then transmit the amottnt of postage re- ' ccivcd at Hastings : ta th 6 Russian or other Government." At tho Port Chalmers Police Court yesterdaj', before Mr J. Miil. ,T.P„ Michael Gardner Robertson, whose -second offence i it was within 48 hours; was fined se, or in l default 24 hours' imprisonment for drunken- 1 nes3. I Tenders are invited for the purchase, in July ' next, of the riiission schooner Southern Cross. The North Otago Farmers' Co-opefativc Association require a liiamiger. Messrs Wi-i&ht; Stephenson, and Co. will sell oil. SaUtulry/ tit their yards, siitplits trarilwtiy ] horses. The Farmers' Ageitcy Company will hold their next stock sale at Clinton on Thursday, 12th hist. ' A notice of an alteration in the Tarewai's time-table for to-day appears in our advertising columns. !i'he Triad for Starch, which is to hand., .has lis a music supplinient "Lotely" (Sildier) ] antV'My Wishes",. (Mozart). The words, of ! tile fifst-iiamed, by Heine, are given in English ' lind German. Tho reading matter is, as usual, varied mid interesting. f A sitting of the Assessment Court for tho ] Eorongh of "frest Harboilr will be held on ] Saturday, April 4. ■. Dairymen and others will bo interested in the exhibition to be given' by Mr C. A. Ar.der- 1 sotij from Stockholm, of one of the Crown ; Cream Separator Company's iuachines at the , Tiiicri mid Peninsula Milk Sfipplv Company's ' factory to-day and to-morrow, between 7 a.m. ' and 10.30 a.m. i Tito New Zealand Loan and Mercantile [ Agency Company will hold their fortnightly slock sale at Clintori on Thursday, 13th inst. The district electors list.for tlic Bcrough of J Port Chalmers is iio\v open for inspection. I A meeting of ladies conrioctsd with early 0 settlers will be held at Mosgiel on Friday after- * r.oon, to arrange details for the support to he c given to (ho Otago Early Settlors' Association's l art union and bazaar. . s Entries for flic Cycling Championship meeting close on Saturday, at 0 p in. Tenders iiro invitfci fof the lease of the European Hotel. Tho Taieri Horticultural Society's show will lj3 held at the Volunteer Hall, JloSgiel, on Saturday. i'lio town clerk, West Harbour, invites tenders for alterations and additions to Jackman's Hall, Rothesay:. Tho Wiiihemo county clerk invites tenders for a number of Counly Council contracts. In the Tiibcniiicle, Great liing street, this evening, Mr M. V. Clreen lectures on " The Lawlessness Of Spiritualism." The combined ironmongers' second annual picnic Will be held at Wingiitui on, Saturday. i Ladies who lake ali interest iii the forth- a coming floral fele in aid of the Fallen Soldiers' j jrcitihrlfll are reminded oi {lie meeting at the Town Hall at 3 o'clock this afternoon, to set tip committees of ladits. t There is ,a titlo iii the affairs oi trade which, taken at its flood, .leads on -to money-saviilg. c Tho time is now—(lie tido is the values. Visit *" Jfollisons for bargains.—Advt. 1 Delightful shampooing, hairdressihg, waving, singeing, etc., at Hendy's, 101 Princes street; finest saloons ill the colony for ladies ar.d gentlemen.—Advt. , Carter's Great Summer Sale now on. Genuine bargains in all departments. Several important special , job lots. Call early at Carter's Great S|i : le.—Advt. Intending purchasers of jewellery or watches naturally wish to make .a selection from the newest and daintiest goods obtainable. G. and T. Ybuiig, 68 Priiices street, have the largest and best selected stock in Duriedin, and give t the best value.—Advt. ' The present fashion of wearing the hair £ requires an abundn.ien of liair. If you are not l blest with,.llijs invest in si bottle of Mrs ( M'lutosh's.ilajr Restorer. It is the best of all dressings. .Ponies, ,2s and3sGd; chemists' ohd hairdressers'.—Advt. ' Who is'.Peter. Pick?— The mbst reliable ? Watchmaker and Jeweller, opposite Coffee 1 Palace; Moray place, Dtutediii. Charges strictlj J ' moderate.—Advt. 1 I I.V •• ■ I 1 — The ftir of rabbits and other anlnials i ill Russia, is .into.,howls, dishes, 1 and plates] which are valued for their i strength, durability,,, and lightness. The s articles, wlien'. 'finished, have the appearance s of varnished leather. t Record motor bicycles for 1903. ' RECORD BICYCLES itt £19. JUBILEES 1 at £11. MOTOR CYCLES, £50. Guaranteed Jor 12 months. Undoubtedly the best value bVer" offered iii New Zealand. Everything" litest, at price's that 3 defy competition. Easy terms. Second-band 1 i Bicycles taken''in'part payment. BECORD ' TYKES are the best procurable, liiade from ! the finest materials procurable; guaranteed 12 I mouths.. Second-hand .Machines from £4,— < Cooke, Ilowlijonj. tind. Cq., is6> 158, and 163 Great King street, Duncdin. f