THE PRICE OF HORSE FEED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1229, 11 September 1911, Page 8

THE PRICE OF HORSE FEED.

-AN ALLEGED COMBINE. Tho following petition, which has been signed by 112 livery stable proprietors, carriers, carters, etc., in Dunedin, is to bo presented to the Hon. J. A. Millar: — "Wc desire respectfully to approach you and enlist your valuable services regarding the existence in our midst of a huge combine', consisting of tho principal stock and station agents, which has been formed wholly ' and solely for the express purpose of keeping up tho price of horse-feed. ."We feel that the time has arrived for tho Government to 6tep in and givo the matter the .'serious consideration which' it merits, with the ultimate' object of bringing into immediate operation the Anti-Trust Bill, .which aims at the extinction of such a menace to the livelihood of a largo body of electors of this city, who feel keenly the injustice of it. '"'You'will quite understand the powerful influence which.' this combine exercises, .inasmuch as'it practically dominates the entire food supply, hence it is that notwithstanding tho plentitude. of the harvest year after year the pric'-'s remain as high as'ever, and we have to pay right. up to the hilt so that the middleman should reap huge profits. "Hitherto no attempt has been made to successfully cope with this important matter. It is one of vital importance to us, as wo are in the position of being compelled, to stand by the recognised scale of charges in our own business, and at the. same time pay far too much for food for our horses. Legislation is needed to stop this. "We aro certain that something must be dono not only to check its progress, but to sweep it away. The Anti-Trust Bill can do this. "We aro confident that when the fact is recognised that our claim is based on solid grounds, and'not on imagination, both yourself and your colleagi.es will make the, matter one for earnest thought and consideration, and bearing in nliud that this-step would be a thoroughly de/nocratic one, and ■ its purpose tho greatest good for the greatest number, it would, we feel sure, be hailed with keen delight in this citj-, and, we believo, all over tho Dominion. "We believe that the establishment of •a Government market, and also the exemption from duty of horse feed imported from Australia would materially, assist in the of our object. We feel confident, •however,' to await your reply, .and as you, wo feel certain, know and recognise, as docs also the Liberal party, that, trusts, rings, and combines aro detrimental to the well-being - of tho great majority, a most determined effort will be inado to cope successfully, with such undesirable methods of extortion. "When wc find largo quantities of horse feed stored up and cornered for months until the 'big man' is actually compelled to part with it on account of want o£ space, it is as plain as the midday sun that tho poor man' is being made to pay with a vengeance for what he requires for his horse. ' "This is the manner in which tilings are being managed with (ho 'middlemnn' for the benefit of his, own purse at the expense of his weaker brother."