CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 279, 19 August 1920, Page 5

CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE

"John Bull, Junior," urges that the City Council in purchasing its motor transport should give preference to Bri-, tish motor lorries, instead of American, as tho English or Scotch makes, he. declares, are much superior to tho American. "Interested" writes in appreciation of tho 6heepfarmors' gift to tho Navy and the mercantile marine, and expresses the hope that in their deliberations as to tile disposal of the money they will not forget the great need for a sailors' hostel in Wellington. Promoters of light railways are reminded by Mr. H. Berry, of Blenheim, . that two light railway schemes were put in hand by the Ot'ago Provincial Council in 1874, with sleepers 6ft. by €in. by .Sin., and rails weighing 24M>. to Hi? yard. Ono line in the Oaviavu district was scrapped as a failure, and the other, on which Mr. Berry was engaged, running from Makarewa to Rivcrton. with a branch to Otautnu, Was also abandoned. Mr. Berry contends that light railways will bo found equally use^ss'to-day, and advocates motor road transport instead. Pioneer writes:—ls it not timo that steps were taken to restrain the evil and dangerous power exercised by the combinations of unions, who are jeopardising the well-being of the community and tho general progress we so mucin require? In my early days it was held to be a principle of common law that any combination which existed in restraint of trade was illegal. Why not make this statute law for tho protection and benefit of the community? If it should be assumed that there.is no justification for such law,' allow me to recall the instaneo of the cargo of 6ugar landed in Auckland in September last. That sugar was urgently needed by the whole community, but it was deliberately blocked by unionists. Now, I ask any person outside an asylum if that act was not in restraint of trade? The Auckland Harbour Board and the Government apparently wero helpless; the public requirements wero set at nought. Mt only should such law bo enacted, >utm«• eufflci9ntlyetringentjocause;.tho'c»uce l . lation of any union taking cadi ff ■nnrt or even those from a disliinco wno trough sailed sympathetic aet.on , support sndijnwM 1 'I'''"*■1 '''"*■ _ . ; Tho first "railway"was built for. tho ! Bri ish coal mines. J*^* 1 "™?" 1 | track <l* viß<yl nnd u6ed Ml ' ly " ■ teenth century-