SHIPPING COMBINES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3118, 23 June 1917, Page 6

SHIPPING COMBINES

Sir,—The above js a most important subject to us fllL aven tho Ministers of. the Goyernmont have been discussing it. Bet. Us' then,' analyse—for and _ against. Who are the -purchasing and ruling powers that will take over and purchase other shipping companies? Ato they alien subjects? No, British. What is tho objection? The fear of monopoly? If such a thing happened, what then? Other companies would be formed and tako the Dominion produce on behalf of the growers—the monopoly would bo broken. How could others contend against the growers who ship their produce themselves. But there is another and more important question to bo answered. It is well known that the Germans .are going to have a cut in witli their steamers at reduced freights, heavily subsidised by their Government. If we have a number of small companies, 'how long would that exist? They would bo soon wiped out because of their limited capital; it's the mighty dollar that wins; all email companies would be wound up, against sovoro competition. The curse of Ireland is tho largo number of small holdings. If s sad to state that, but they cannot competo against motor or steam-driven ploughs and agricultural inventions. The days of small holdings are doomed. In the future it will be competition v. expenses, and that will be overcome by farming on a large scale. Therefore, it is to our benefit to have large companies, and directly their charges are not satisfactory other companies will spring up that' would compel them to lower their charges at once. It is a ■well-known maxim that when too much profit is being got in any business, opposition springs up at once. Let the public- realise the; above; we must advance with the time 9 or go under. As to the Germans, it impossible for them to send steamers to our ports, by charging them harbour and Custom dues that will prohibit them coming for many years.—l' am, etc., SYDNEY STIDOLPH. Wellington, June 22, 1917,