THE COAL VEND.

Southland Times, Issue 14506, 26 August 1910, Page 5

THE COAL VEND.

FEDERAL PROSECUTIONS

ALLEGED KESTK.YINT OF TRADE. (By Tek-ia.i];li—l'rc.-s Association—CopyristH). MFLBOFUNP,, Aug. 23. Received Aug. 2il, i 2.-1.3 a.m. The Commonwealth law authorities to-day served upon tin: Coal Shipping Companies which are alleged to constitute combinations known separately us ••The Coal Vend" and "The Shipping Combine," a. statement of claim lit respect of the tirsl writs Issued recently, charging the defendant:;' with broaches of the Industries Preservation Act in connection with the control of the interState coal trade. Mr King, and the Commonwealth Attorney-General are plaintiffs, and the defendants associated are the Northern Collieries Asst.elaied Steam Ship Company's and the Adelaide Steam Ship Co., Howard Smith. Huddart Parker, Mcllwraith. MeFuclH'li and Company.

It is understood that the proceeding's are being' taken on the ground that an alleged agreement is. within the meaning of tiie Anti-Trust Act, an unlawful combination and restraint of trade whereby people in States other than New South Wales and Tasmania are compelled to pay higher prices for coal, than they would have done if the combination had been non-existent. It is expected that the proceedings will come before, the High Court in October.

Writs against certain coal and shipping companies, charging them with breaches of the Australian Industries Act, were issued in May last. The writs are three in number. The first was against the Coal Vend and the Shipping Combine, and the firms forming- them, for offences against the Anti-Trust Act in connection with their control of interests in the trade in coal. The second was against the Coal Vend and the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand in connection with joint control of the trade between Newcastle, New Zealand, Tasmania, and in connection with shipping between New Zealand and Tasmania. The third was against the Coal Vend in connection with persons at London and elsewhere, and their control of foreign coal trade. The suits are brought in the High Court. The Huddart Parker Proprietary is among' the. defendants in the first writ.