CHARGES AGAINST THE COAL VEND.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1102, 15 April 1911, Page 5

CHARGES AGAINST THE COAL VEND.

OPENING OF THE CASE; ALLECED CONSPIRACY TO ESTABLISH A MONOPOLY, By Telcuraph-Press Association-Oonyrieht (Rec. April 13, 8.5 p.m.) Sydney, April 13. Tho High Court has commenced the hearing of tho Coal Vend case, wherein tho Vend is charged with offences against tho. Industries Preservation Act. There, is a great array, of legal talent on both sides. Tho charges are as follow:— (1) That since September, 1306, there has been and still'is a combination between tho Northern Collieries' Association and tho Associated Steamship Companies in respect to trade in Newcastle coal , between Now South Wales and tho other Australian States. (2) That this combination restrained trade, and was intended so to do, to tho detriment of the public. Counsel, in opening for the Commonwealth Government, undertook to show that the combine set out to make ill the four years following the formation of the Vend a profit of two million sterling over and above tho profit made in 1006. Tho method was to estimate tho probable requirements of the trade, for tho ensuing year and to apportion it among the mines according .to their potential output. If ,i. mino put out more than its allotment it was compelled to pay four shillings per ton for each ton in excess into the Vend fund to compensate the mines which put out less than their allotment. Xo quotations were allowed fo be made or contracts entered until they had been referred to the Vend Committee. Counsel urged that the Vend, by abusing its control over competition, had engaged in a great conspiracy with the "shipowners to establish a monopoly in Newcastle coal. It had gone far beyond its proper objects, and under pretence of protecting tho interests of tho coal trade had oppressed tho public.