FARMERS AND MONOPOLY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XL, Issue 13259, 18 December 1913, Page 9

FARMERS AND MONOPOLY.

■ -. . ■ * STATE ENTERPRISE ONLY AS LAST RESORT. * (special to Herald.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day At a meeting of the executive of the North Canterbury Fanners' Union, a letter was Tead from tbe Stoke (Nelson) Fruitgrowers' Association, forwarding tlie following- resolution : "That m view of the shipping monopoly at present existing, the time has arisen when the Government should engage m the sea transpbi-t-of the ! Do l mmion. The support of the' r "EWmer_*-'Un'ioh Was requested to the .resolution. Tlie president said the letter opened up a bis question. The only way to- -.break a monopoly was by competition ' either of the State or by private enterprise. As a matter of fact, there was a 'company already formbd by farmers* ' -which had as its object the char+cfring of ships for the carriage of primary- produce. He" did. not think the StatQ. should create a monopoly any more, than private enterprise. Mr Sheat alaorjoientioned tlle formation of a commny.' Mr Gardiner was against gjty "action being taken m the matter,' anld moved that the letter be received. Mr Weld moved that the Government link, ■up its railways by the establishment of a State ferry service, but the motion was not! considered' relevant to the discussion, and was withdrawn. Mr H. S. Holland suggested that the Government set up a commission to dea,l with any snipping monopolies m New Zealand, as was done at Home m regard to the railways. Mr W. Hall .moved that while recognising the advisability 6f doing everything possible to combat monopolies, the executive does not approve of the Government undertaking fresh industries until all other means have been tried and failed. Mr Livingstone seconded the resolution, which was carried.