The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 6, 1902. SHIPPING COMBINE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 408, 6 May 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 6, 1902. SHIPPING COMBINE.

The subject, that is causing most concent at tjie prese.n t time, apart from tile war, is the combination of American millionaires in a gigantic shipping ring. Latest , cablegrams inform us tl'.at among other companies absorbed j; s the White Star Line, its Australian interests being specially mentioned. This means that the colonies, which, in any case, would have a serious indirect interest in anything done by the combination, will now have a direct concern in all that is done. The capital of the combination is stated to be forty million pounds, and in addition, vast undertakings that will the I«tier enable the purposes of the ring to be achieved, are controlled by the millionaires. At Hie head of the colossal scheme is Mr Pjerpont Morgan, who lias received commissions amounting to millions of dollars for “ the engineering ” of the great combination. In the March number of the Fortnightly Review, there is an ably written article by Mr Wetlierell. He states that a problem which the most experienced ship-owners were discussing some months back was whether British shipping would emerge from the struggle in triumph to enjoy another period of prosperity, or in a shattered and ruined condition with the supremacy of the ocean left in other hand. The writer points out that : now, when American manufactdiprs, hitherto protected by high .tariffs, are becoming more than is required for Home consumption, commercial expansion and new outside markets have become necessary. Pierpont Morgan, the representative of the Billion Dollars Trust controlling the iron and steel manufactures of the United fatales, entered into the firstshipping deal, part of the great and ambitious movement to control both the internal and external trade of the United Slates, and to over power foreign competition. He bought the Leyhmd’s line at a high price in order to gain a commanding ppsition on the ocean. Now he iias acquired control over other important British 1 lies on tiie Atlantic,, and by a threat of ruinous competition he may coerce British companies running steamers in the Mediterranean. Mr Wetherell raises the point that the money paid for British ships yum id increase the wealth of the country, and tlipt a great deal of this capital would lie us.ed tp build new steamers to again compete with American competition. The transferor English shipping to American buyers would not increase the number and tonnage of steamers on the ocean. In the past England has built ships for the whole world, The ol;l British vessels have been sold to foreigners. The. chief results have been to give 'increased employment to British shipbuilders, and to enable British shipowners to supply inemselves with more modern vessels, and therefore more profitable dividend-earners. The passenger traffic with America every season is enormous, but in winter it falls away, and a good many steamers are then laid up, or run at a loss-. When the steamers now used in South Africa are returned to their ordinary mercantile trade tiie prospect of any recovery in freights will become exceedingly remote. Other supposedly weak points are alluded to, it being declared that there is not much chance of a dividend from tiie speculations ; but in tlie.se arguments there does not seem lo be an allowance made for the fact that the combination wilf u? in a position to force prices upwards, and that administrative expenses may be reduced. It is then pointed out that oil tiie other band, whatever loss the Morgan Trust incurs, it will not be borne by Die Billion Dollar Trust, but by the Government of the United States. What the Britisli ship-owners have to fight against is subsidies. The chief advantage enjoyed by the German Atlantic lines arises from the enormous emigration from Northern Europe to America. The Germain competitors on the Atlantic’also beneI lit from subsidies, given for their services to East Africa and Australia. Germany lias not produced a Pierpont Morgan, or a combination of millionaires, but German ship-owners have snatched from Great Britain the supremacy of the North Atlantic, and have cul into British trade in East Africa, in the Straits, and elsewhere. Though the Admiralty makes light of the matter there is no doubt the position would Ix 3 serious in the event pi war. Wipe out the British mercantile marine in any future war (states the writer), and it will be impossible to convey, as has been done in South Africa, a quarter of a million troops, with supplies and materials, a distance of 6000 miles. Any war with a naval Power possessing fast merchant vessels, equipped as armed cruisers, and food supplies would he a matter of impossibility. The stock of food in the United Kingdom does not as a rule exceed six weelis i and is order .to

maintain the population it would be necessary to employ foreign steamers and blockade runners.

Apart from war, it is not certain that British trade, if once British mercantile supremacy were overthrown, would be allowed to enjoy the advantages that it has been assumed would accrue to it through the cheapening of ocean transit. It foreigners were once in a secure posi-

tion on the main lines of ocean communication, there would be little security against the imposition of discriminating rates of freight upon British trade. Though many fair promises have been made on behalf of the combination, there is good reason for apprehension as to the lines upon which the ring may set to work.

RAILWAY FARES. The Minister of Railways is naturally very pleased with, his new scheme for the reduction of railway charges, and those who will he directly benefited must also be highly pleased. But ws are not so sure that the people of ■a district like our own have much reason to be jubilant at these reductions. We have to pay our share of the cost and maintenance of all these railways, and the number reaping any benefit is small. It may be different some day, when the district can boast of a line of its own, even if that line be only for a distance of twenty miles. A contemporary has cynically said that the interest of the general public in railway matters is limited to the sum to be paid for their tickets, In this district the interest at present is that we have to help pay for the cheapening of the tickets without getting any advantage therefrom as a sort of recompense We cordially hope that Sir J. Ward’s sanguine anticipations as to increase of revenue may be realised. But why, it may well be asked, is the Government always so anxious about the cheapening of the cost of transit for tourists, They come to view the colony’s wonderful sights, and in most cases are people of means who can well afford to pay for their luxuries’ There can be no objection to offering special concessions for excursion seasons, as a great many of those who travel at such a time are town or country residents not

likely to make the journey tuiless they can do so within reasonable limits not making too much of an inroad upon a restricted income. But there cannot be any argument in favor of facilitating the path of wealthy misers : those of a liberal turn of mind would offer no thanks for concessions made on behalf of tpem at the expense of the people generally. We are sure that those who go from this colony to attend the Coronation festivities will not find the way cheapened for them because they happen to be tourists going homewards for a great occasion. It may be said that unless the fares are cheapened for their special benefit the tourists would mot come to the colony, but the probability' is that it would not make the difference of a single visitor less to the colony.

Captain Edwin wired at 12.55 p.m. yesterday as follows : —“ Moderate winds from between north east to north and west; glass fall; ordinary tides.” Anxiety is felt regarding the safety ot Messrs Sharp and Scarlet, who left Gisborne on Tuesday morning in the Seagull, a small sailing boat. They had ample provisions and intended staying away some time, but the weather proved very rough after they left. Constable W. Skinner, who won the hammer aud shot events at the last meeting of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club, has been transferred to Auckland, and will now be able to get in some practice work with his brother Arthur, the well-known professional weight-putter and hammer-thrower. At the Mutual Improvement Society last night a paper ou the subject of “ The New Zealand Flour Combine ” was read by Mr W. J. Driller. A good disoussitn followed, in which Mrs Jones and Messrs Armstrong, Rothwel), Maidment, Larson, East, Harper, apd others took part. Some good arguments for apd against were used, the sentiment of the meeting, however, being opposed to the trust. The final gamo for the tennis tournament in connection with the Tolago Bay Club was played yesterday, and attracted a fair amount of attention. The competitors were Messrs Smith and Karaitiana Tamararo. The game occupied the best part of the afternoon, scoring being by points, and resulted in a victory for Mr Smith by 50 to 82. The trophy was a handsome racquet, presented by Mr R. Buxendel), of Messrs Bycroft and Co., Auckland.

Our Napier correspondent wired last

night : opened here on Saturday night to a record house, hundreds being turned away. Tonight the theatre is again packed to the doois, and many were pliable to gain admission. Cinquevalli is a revelation, and his audiences are wildly enthusiastic. He is supported by the strongest Vaudeville company over seen in the colony. The company plays Gisborne on Monday and Tuesday next. ’

The first meeting of the Terawbaiti Maori Council was to have been held .yesterday, but the Council not being properly constituted, it was decided to adjourn sine die, Wiremu Potae and Peni Heihi were sworn in by Mr Barton, S.M., who was appointed President by the Government. Heta To Rani was also present. A member who has not yet been sworn in is Epanaia Whanga, of Nuhaka. Mr J. Brooking acted as interpreter. The Government have been requested to appoint a clerk and interpreter to the Council. Mr Barton has asked to be relieved from the duties of President, finding that with his ctfier work be will not have time to satisfactorily fill the position. A crowded house greeted the Pollard Opera Company at the Theatre Koyal last evening, when the popular opera “ La Mascotte” was staged. The piece went with a good swing throughout, and the audience was most enthusiastic, encores being frequent, The role of Bettina was taken by Miss Gertie Campion, and that young lady quite excelled herself in the part. From the moment she appeared on the stage, she won the admiration ol those present, and both in acting anu singing gave a faithful interpretation ol the character. Many present who had seen Miss Campion in other operas were unanimous in the opinion that she had never appeared to such advantage as she did last evening. We are sure that the Gisborne theatre-going public would have liked to have seen her in other plays in which she takes a leading part. The fun was supplied by Messrs and Stephens, whose witticisms were much 1 appreciated. Messrs Carter and O'Connor, especial, ‘j the former, were in splendid voice, and also ac,.C~ well, Miss Alice Pollard gave an excellent impersCH at -ion of Fiametta, and ali the minor charactois were well sustained. To-night, “In Town ” will be staged, when a benefit will be given to Mr W. Percy. ■ There should be a crowded house.

Captain Tuckey, of Wellington, carried the news of the Methuen disaster back to the camp. He was twenty-four hours in the saddle, and then took passage in an armoured train. At a wayside station the train was halted, and a telegram from Lord Kitchener handed to young Tuckey. This was in the .epncjse method of the Com-mander-in-Chief, and asked for a detailed account of the disaster. The train waited for two hours while the report was being drafted. The Kitchener telegram is now in the possession of Turkey's relatives io Wellington. When the news was conveyed to the camp it was received with consternation, and intense regret was expressed, for Methuen is idolised both by officers and men. Captain Tuckey lost the .whole of his kit, including his camera and filmsj on y/hiph were a number of most interesting’snapshots. His deficiencies in this respect we're, however, amply and quickly supplied by the Imperial officers in camp. On one occasion the kindliness of Lord Methuen was exemplified. On Captain Tuckey happening to mention that his little nephew would be delighted to obtain the signature of the General, Lord Methuen took the trouble to write a letter to the boy.

The monthly meeting of the Hospital Trustees will be held to-morrow night.

. The Gisborne Woolbrokers’ Association’s next sale of wool, sheepskins, bides, etc., will be held on Friday, 16th May. From May Ist the price of Kia-Ora butter will be Is Old per lb wholesale, and Is fid per lb retail, till further notice. A concert and social in aid of the Ormond Catholic School is to be held in the Ormond Hall on Thursday night. The annual general meeting of the Gisborne Poultry Fanciers’ Club takes place at Mr PI. M. Porter's office this evening. The schooner Aotea arrived at Waipiro yesterday. The sea being very calm, allowed the captain to work his oil launch in good style. The annual election of two members for the Patutahi Road Board takes place to day, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Applicat:o s are invited for persons willing to undertake the duties of Secretary and Treasurer of the Charitable Aid Board. The salary is TOO per annum. Messrs Williams and Kettle’s monthly stock sale will bo held at the Matawhero yards on Thursday, the entries include 2000 sheep and 200 head of cattle.

The steamer “ Atheuic,” by which several Gisbornites are to leave for the old country, is timed to sail from Wellington on Thursday next. A public meeting is to bo held in the Masonic sample rooms this evening to formulate a scheme to celebrate the Coronation, and the opening of the first section of the Gisborne-llaraka Railway. There will be no parade of the Gisborne Division of the East Coast Mounted Rifles this evening. A full muster of the division is requested on Tuesday, 13th instant, at 7.30 p.m. All persons having accounts against the late Mr P. Barker are asked to render same in duplicate before Friday, 9th inst., to the offices of Mr C. A, DeLautour, Solicitor for the Executors. The Auckland Master Grocers’ Association have decided to cease giving Christmas boxes in future, and also to discard the practice of issuing free pictorial almanacs to their customers.

The Pollard Opera Company have arranged to play an extra night in Gisborne, and the “ Belle of New York ” will be staged to-morrow night, after which the Company leave for Napier and the South.

G. W. Smith and W. F. Simpson, the New Zealand athletic representatives for the English amateur championships, are due to arrive in England about the end of this week. They will have about two months’ training before the meeting. A curious boycott took place in connection with the Eight Hour Sports in Melbourne on a recent Saturday. The committee had brought the meeting under the Sports Betting Suppression Act, and as the pedestrians could get no wagers they declined to run. The cyclists, fortunately for the meeting, did not take the same view.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, hold their next stock sale at Matawhero yards on Thursday, Bth May, at 11.30 sharp. The present entries are : 1000 mixed sheep, including 250 wethers, and 200 head of cattle, including 150 young steers and heifers (a straight line, which will be sold in lots to suit buyers). Messrs Wyllie and Mason, instructed by the Trustees in the Rabjohns estate, will sell by public auction, at their mart, Lowe street, on Saturday, the 17th inst., a property, containing 690 acres, known as the Okahu block, with frontage to the Gisborne-Morere coach road, and lying Detween the properties of Messrs E. IJ.1 J .

Joyce (north) and Mather and MoGinnis (south). It is first-class bush country, well watered, and about 28 miles from

Gisborne.

A few days ago there was a paragraph in the Times, recording the experience of a lady pedestrian, who was

run into and knocked down by a man on a bicycle. On Friday night a female cyclist was the offending party in a collision. She ran into a gentleman near the Stout street lamp. Pie was knocked into the ditch by the force of ilio collision. The cyclist quickly remounted her bicycle and rode off with*

out troubling to enquire whether the gentleman was injured. He sustained a sprained wrist, which has caused him much pain, and will he the means of preventing him following his ordinary

occupation for some weeks at least* Som e interesting mountaineering work has been done by visitors to the Hermit-

age, Mount Cook, this season. Lady Ranfurly and party were among the visitors. The only mishap was to Lady Alexander and Miss Gough, who were benighted on the Tasman Glacier and spent the night on the ice. . A suspension bridge has been erected and a new track formed from the Hermitage across the Hooker River to the

Tasman Valley. Messrs Donne (Superintendent of the Tourist Deportment) and Matthews (chief forester), with the guide, Clark, climbed Mount Hochstetter, crossing the great Tasman Glaciers twelve miles on ice, and reaching an altitude of 8000 ft. The new snow on the Lendenfeldt saddle and the tqountain was 89in deep, and it and the crevasses male the work very heavy. The party had a clear view of the West Coast! Amongst those who earned a reputation as alpine climbers were the Misses Willliams, of Wellington, who made several high ascents during their stay of ten weeks at the Hermitage. Christchurch Truth thus refers to the action of New Zealanders in attacking the office of a Sydney gutter rag Few people will blame the action of our boys in interfering with the liberty of the Press, as it flourishes in Sydney oil Sundays. We suspect the John Norton was at it again.. He has, at all events, carried on a campaign of unparalleled indecency and blackguardly scurrility in his attacks on “cohentingeters ” (his own pretty phrase) for a long time. But he should be more careful, and pick his time for being nasty. The troopers, at all events, showed that they are. takiiig everything fightable eh route—another testimony to the thoroughness of the colonial Volunteer. The crude, juild, and unofficial episode of the .color nials and the “contents hoard’’ might with advantage he studied by the Federal or N.S.W. Governments, or the Sydney public, or somebody. This excessive toleration of such poisonous sheets as the paper alluded to has lost its virtue as a testimony to patience and dignity, It is a reflection on Sydney that it has to wait for casual soldiers on the way to the war to protest against such a prostitut on of the Press.