Grey River Argus and Blackball News PUBLISHED DAILY TUESDAY, APRIL lt18h, 1911.

Grey River Argus, 18 April 1911, Page 4

Grey River Argus and Blackball News PUBLISHED DAILY TUESDAY, APRIL ltlBh, 1911.

! nSr te a i nfir Gfth e 'Goal Vend cases •may be the means of shedding . alittle more light on the cause of 'the strike of 'Newcastle miners that ended so disastrously. . for them- some months ago There was a good deal of .loose statement tEen about the sins" of the Coal Vend, but k was difiicult. ,to gather from it any very clear idea of exactly ho\f ; the "end was responsible for- the strike It seemed rather., singular, too, that the strike leaders did not succeed in enlightening the world outsid/i of the unfair practices of the coalmine owners. Now, however, . that the High Court has commenced the' n earing- of . the Coal Vend; cases, the process . ought, incidentally lead to the disclosure of all the relations between j : the miners and the mine owners. At least it as to be' hoped that the unravelling- ot the intricacies of the case will enable the public to learn something more of the principles "ot the Vend than has hitherto been -' known outside of the coal' (district- of Newcastle', the Coal -Vend' is 'by no means a creation of to-daA r . There has been a Coal Vend' amongst the. owners of coal' mines at Newcastle off ■.f>'nd- on for very- many years.' It was . 'not always found possible, to .keep the. members of the % Vend . loyal to/jits'" principles, which. ostensibly were for the mutual protection of : tlie interestsof the trade ..and, the, mine owners.The ' offences . that the Vend is - now. i charged with are a violation of the* provisions' of- the Industries T'reserv,"- , tion Act. It is alleged that the Nor- i them Collieries Association, .and the ' Associated Steamship Companies acted in combination, to so work the coa! Trade of 'the . district as "'/to ' unfairly enrich themselves at the expense 01 the public. All trade-. combinations of modern days that' we have any-gen-eral acquaintance' with prof ess ' at first to bp actuated solely by the desire to . secure economy by unity ; of., administration ; but\tKe : original goo^ rcsolii-.

tions are seldom. . proof against the temptation that financial power holds out to them, with the result that the combination soon steps beyon d its ; proper province iby levying toll .upon • all and sundry who come within the scope of its operations. That has been the history of trust's— which is only a vend under another name— from the Standard -Oil Compariv 'down

to combinations or minor importpnc^ ; and there is .good reason to assun^o that the morality of the Newc?s*le Coal Vend has not been of a hijrii'-r or more patriotic kind than that of the Am erican Trusts ; is • shown to be. In pach. case thcleadinsr principle, of tho bond of union is. gain, with a. cvniral -indifference r»s" to who mkrht' auff°r. I*- rnoirr^s no stretch " : bf "ifnao-i-nation. thppfor^. 1 tn r^.plis^ that' the Con 1 Vend- which entered into an arrangement to extract two"' millions sterling more in four years from the people over "and above the profit made in 1906,. would not be likely to" consider the^ebmfort or welfare. of: the miners who -mined the coal for them. ■ The counsel for the Commonwealth has undertaken to show that the Coal Vend had laid - their plans to carry: out that object. It is evident from -, the details of the : scheme . afforded ■ by the -prosecution that all who joined the Vend placed themselves entirely in the hands of a "system," and abandoned all tight to freedom of action. The output of every iriine was regulated according to the capacity of its plant, and not a ton of coal ibsyond the scheduled amount could be sent out -without the imposition of a penalty.; In the same way a mine owner must not make a tariff for himself or dare to enter into an independent contract for the supply of coal. However much such an arrangement may suit the members of the Vend, it must be clear to the dullest of wits that such a combination could, only end detrimentally to the public interest, or indeed to everyone in any way , dependent upon the coal trade, whether a coal hewer or a private coal consumer. We make no doubt that the Associated Steamship Companies found that one of the "best means ,of protecting their interests was to become part and parcel pf the Vend. Otherwise they would' find themselves as much at its mercy as the' general public. The members of the Vend formed an organisation for the sole purpose of getting the whole of the coal trade of Newcastle into their hands to control and order solely for their own profit. The Vend was therefore a monopoly pure and simple; and that it should have fallen into the evil ways inseparable from monopolies -generally, or indeed from unchecked power of " any kind, was only what might be expected. There is always latent danger in monopolies * of any kind, and the power of public opinion should always be brought to bear against all combinations shown to be detrimental to the public interest. The tendency of the age is towards combinations of all kinds; but it is time that the public should oe able to say "thus far and no further" when a combinaton becomes a common danger. It matters but little "whether the tyranny is in the shape of an aggregation of capiuil or a vast labour combination. Too much power in either case is as eel-tain-to be abused as that the majority of mankind are weak vessels only too apt to presume on the possession of power. The original object of the Coal Vend may have ibeen laudable enough ; but there would seem to be no sort of doubt that it had .gone lur beyond its proper objects when it became , a conspiracy .to plunder tho public instead -of protecting the interests of the coal trade.' The policy oi the Vend was merely that' o f the American Trusts over again. Had the Standard Oil and other. American Trusts confined -themselves to legitimate tradeing methods it would not have been incumbent' upon' the" American Government to-day to be_prose'cuting them wholesale in 'some of the. principal States of the Union, as is (being done. 'It is" a hard thing to see the revenue of the country being spent in an- attempt to extripate a system that has so largely captured the Legislature, the Throne of Justice, and the /Press of the country. But the duty, must ibe done, even if the .people have been slow in setting 'about it. ....

It may safely be saidj without the ? slightest exaggeration, that the Easter race meeting- that concluded ou Saturday last was. a triumph- for the ;>' ■Greymouth Jockey Club. It was cer-

tainly one of the -most successful and . satisfactory meeting's, ever held on the! Omotu racecourse;-- from whatever point. -of.-, view it may be regarded.' Indeed it exceeded "expectations. Though the rain of Friday last held out a- .g-loomy prospect for Saturday, the weather cleared beautifully " for the second day's racing-, and the sharp rattle- of the • horses' " hoofs showed that the course was in excellent order, as was evidenced: -by the ' times made in the' races 1 and the condition of the horses when they returned to the bird cage/ The?.\fields were "exceptionally: strong-, nvhile'the quality ,j of the cattle may tbeN'said 'to Have been ; above the ' average; : The "starting bf Mr Angus Keith was -very sue- : . cessful, and rather above the averaig-e, • while the : handicapping- of Mr. Noble was • borne abundant testimony ;to r by -■ (he .closeness .6f . the>.finislies. , This '■■■ must.be considered an achievement a little out. of t,he; common; ;in view of ; the very large element of uncertainty i there must necessarily- ■ exist in so appprtionmg 1 . weights, as to 'bring- •. horses close tog-ether when passing- •; the judge's ..-stand! The absence of ibookmakcjs and that obnoxious^ -ele- ; .ment of sporting 1 life" that usually accompariis the pencillers was a pleas.ing". novelty. - Any revenue that -the , club lost, by' the exclusion of ;booktinakers and other Ju'nHesirables Avas pimply recoupecf^ "b"y^'- increased -invest- : . riieiits on 'the " Tnis Avas- observed very marlcexiiy^on ; tlie.-'ifirst ■ 'dtay. Tnpiigh ' the . .atten<3ance;^was.' necessar ,

ily somewhat meagre owing to the ,; sawmills and the mines .being at work on. Wednesday, the tote receipts were \'. considerably in excess of what they • were the preceding Easter meeting .on | the first day. The horse-owners who ! usually patronise the "bookies," [•backed their fancy 'on- the tote' in 'fives and tens.- It was the same on I the second day, so that on the whole the club have every reason to be ■ gratified ■ at the amount of patronage ; received. It was> agreeably noticeable also that there was not a' single protest, nor even the' slightest accident •of "any •' kind: The ■ eyes of the 'stewards, howeve'p, detected •something like"sKafp practice on the part of One of the jockeys, that escaped the majority of the onlookers. ' After the race the delinquent was brought before the stewards and cautioned that a repetition of such ; tactics at any future meeting- would involve the. loss of his license. " Although the rider tried to deny that he . was guilty of a breach of the rules, several- of the stewards who .observed /-the ' 'breach had no doubt ' on the matter; A]-' though the Mbooths were kept .going in a lively way during ; the meeting, there was no more evidence of intoxication than if>the crowd, had been indulging in dealcoholised drinks. Even the supersensitive "Tommy" .Taylor, who can scent : a drunk' within cooey, would have ibeen a little bewildered at the sight of so sober and respectable a crowd. The behavious of everybody seemed to be ideally orderly, and just what a race meeting should be with every community. It may also, be mentioned, as creditaible alike to the place and the Jockey Club, that several # visitors to 'Greymouth were delighted with the Weting/ arid all agreed that it was one of the best they had ever attended.

A skate of . an unusual weight was caught off the ' SeatouV wharf: The fish was hooked by Mr E.. Eskwith, and weighed 103Lb. Two men were required to- haul the skate out of the water.

. k The Inangahua Times reports of the Bonanrze mine:' A tunnel-is to be driven 1100 ft from the eastern side of Soldier's Creek, which will be an 800 feet lower level than the lode on the surface, that has been traced for fourteen chains. The -iwklth, ,of . the reef is up to. .five. feet,', and gold caft be plainly seen in' the stone.

The butchers almost everywhere in New Zealand have had to raise their prices because of the higher cost of both beef and mutton, and also because of the increase in .wages. Under the Shops and Ofiices Act of last year the hours of -butchers ' were 56 to 52 per week, but there has been no corresponding reduction in wages.

The meat markets continue firm, and beef in particular is ruling high. There is unquestionably an increasing shortage, due. principally, to the development of the dairy, industry. Farmers ar,e not now -growing .ibeef cattle, for it is more profitable to use the land for dairying, and dairy cattle do not make good beef. The beef breeds are being- replaced by dairy breeds, and that is at the root of the trouble.

*Mr T. E. Donne, New Zealand's Trade Commissioner in London, gets a warm testimonial from Mr-- : W:---L. Young, of the Wahganui .£rm\.p.f Young and Collins, who is just back from a trip to England. "The Commissioner's "right-hand man," >Mr Young says. "We want more men of the Donne stamp- over there. He. .is a tireless worker, an enthusiastic,advocate, a kee.n man of business, and, withal, a courteous man. while he knows New Zealand thoroughly."

There is a strong? probability that money will become much cheaper during the next three months ; thatis, .provided the demand from foreign countries and. for trade purposes is within moderate, compass. The trade of all the principal .countries shows enormous expansion,?. and there is. every reason to believe that activity will be continued throughout .1911. There is depression in some localities. For instance, Japan ; is- suffering seriously from dullness^ and^quietness prevails to a.Qarge- extent in the United States. ■;' . i .. \- ■-.■ '■'••.

On Saturday morning, the steam trawler Nora Niven arrived in port after a^ four days': .trawling cruise in Cook Straits. The expedition Ava.s a -most successful one, for;;the vessel landed 3500 bundles .of fish pf all descriptions, "including schriapper, ' rhp ki, flatfish, .gurnet; and terakiht.'Thisload ■ represents about T 25 ,tbnsi- Captain Eastick says that schnapper- is very plentiful in •• Cook- Strait at the present time. Some very-larg-e,shoals-■of porpoises and blackfish were also seen during the cruise. ■ .•

m errauc up:at'Ureytown pamica me vuwn red, wnli a lew ornaiuencar biacK streams thrown in", the otner day: Jrie doesn't like the Hon.. Timi Jiara, ' ; Acting-I're-mier — why k is hard to say, for. kindly Timi has very few enemies— and so he started out. with his paints ;early one morning, and amused' himself. On the front of the .Grey town railway station" he painted, the words ' 'Bobber Carroll, -welcome, ' ' with a variety- of fancy .designs all out of his own head. What Timi .said .when he saw that address of welcome isn't recorded; anyhow, it didn't > call, for a speech of 'in- reply: And what Timi robbed the artist ; of l is a dark and woolly .mystery. — Free Lance. .

kjilc of tne ''best' anH: sanest of T tiie nc»v rmes nvw eniprcea by boxing" authorities in Jfhiiacielpiiia is saia id be -that lyhich oraers the elimination . ol ail .competitors .under ..sixteen years ■ot age. V.lliere are far' too many am- : bitious juveniles of: immature physl- : que. nosing- around the country as ' 'prizefig-hters." These lads, slender, .. soft ,of bone,, lacking proper training-, : and possessing not a single 'asset to^ warrant their entry .into such a'stren-" uous. field of sport 'except that , of .nerve, should never ibe -allowed to don the mitts and take "a chance pfi being "butchered to make-,an^ American liol- . iday.V They read ->of^the '^oiiagrs.. of the sluggers, and straightway^ inspired by the confidence born of youth and ;a rough-and-tumble iight or two ; ■won in their school playground, are 'seized with a desire to; go forth and ■do likewise. " The.: lads : are, not .so much ■to be blamed as the who, . glad, to fill out a- card at small ;cost,. allow tKem^'to risk' their lives for- a few doUars? and a^ meeditDf doubtful .fflorv. . Philadelphia.. Jias. taken the lead in T)iit.t : .n.fj"-a stop to sucb ■>- t-^o.s committed"" in- tte nan}e ! 'pf -. 1 '^ *hletics," and '" it' is expected : ;. that other cities where -bpjdnff' is; permittpd will folloAVXthe ffopdv^xaT^ple set them. - - <^h- ■:; vv'i&Nw -.' . "':.

Alex. Lennie is still at the Club.— : A Ivt. For Influenza take Woods' Gt eat Peppermint Cure. Never fails. Is Gd and 2s 6d.— Advt. For Chronic Chest Complaints, * Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. Is 6^ and 2s 6d— Advt. Duke of Edinburgh Hotel-^SO .ooms, n&wJy fitted throughout; ac : cormnodatioin second to .none "on- the Coast; tariff. 6s a day; arrangement by the week J. J. O'Brien, propri^t or.— Ad vi. S. I. Beton", to clear his summer stork, will offer over 1000 bargains at prices that will surprise everyone. The first that come will secure the - pick of this great bargain sale. S I. P/pfnn, Mawhera Quay. Greymouth — Af?vt. . . . Aitken and Peters have just landed direct from England all ,th' new season's goods for winter wear. Tlv smartest goods in ladies dress' skirt 4 ?, underskirts, dress goods, blousings; furs and muffs, Norfolk jerseys, 'blouses, hosiery, etc., a really splendid display in air fashionable winter goods. lAitken and Peters, Up-to-d:i !i> drapers. — Advt. The second lot of new Autumn hats \just to hand. A special lucky purchase brought by our London buyer. Trimmed Paris models 15s 6d up. Semi trimmed ready to wear hats 4s 6d, 5s 6d, 7s 6d. Children's millinery a special lot 4s 6d, 5s 6d up to 9s 6d. Is in the £ discount. W. McKay and Son, leading drapers Mawhera Quay, Greymouth and Hokitika. — Advt. The new furs and blouses, ir.r Autumn wear, single furs 2s 6d, 3s 6<l up. Fur sets, the new kind from 35s to £12 the set. ,Blouses in plain and the ..new knitted kind 5s 6d, 6s 6d and 8s 6d. Is in the £ discount. W. McKay and Son, the leading drapers and clothiers, Gr^y mouth and Hokitika.— Advt. ■. ■ ■ . Jusit a little illness, Just a little pain; Just an awful, racking- cough, Which goes' and comes again. Just an age of suffering, -That's tlTe price you pay, Unless you get Woods' Peppermint Cure without delay. •Our new season's ladies paletots and tweed coats for beauty and style, altogether excell our previous showing in these goods, which ' wo always specialise in. We have just received about ninety er' one hundred different coats to select from, direct from the best English manu faoturers, bought at bedrock prices and are to be sold at much ]ovr?r prices than we could do them for ii bought in the Dominion. We cordi ally invite inspection of our new season's " importations. ' Aitken - • * Peters, general drapers, Mackav St. Advt. gjc. < *»?7* r K«**~"r- " ■ • ■ ■ . ■ Th<T furnishing of a home cone'rallv entails the expenditure of much time and much money. To lessen tike ' v i mer, to assist everyone to fnake,. :>• satisfactory choice and, to furnish ecouumically, Ballantyhes have lie pared a catalogue of • pictured carpels, bedsteads and cveiy .U-j t ,: s ptim, of soft quods furnishings. • > Ms will be sent you on request, anil vr.py be the instrument which will aye -<0.-----lime, trouble and money. From it you tell us what you like and we buy it for you; or we send patterns and estimates', taking the whole ur.K. A s all purchases are returnable it not approved of, country patrons thus shop with almost the same ?± rustages as, their city neighbours at Ball.intynns, Chrisj church'. — A'ivt. Looking some distance ahead, the Imperial authorities in Great Britain are already making arrangements tor a igrand Imperial Exhibition, to be held in London in the spring or summer of lUIS. Preliminary announcements which have appeared in the Home papers observe that the next conference 'between the Home Government and the -inter-dominion representatives, after the one immediately pending, which will ibe held in that year. This is .in pursuance of the policy of holding these conferences every four years. Not only, are the British promoters fixing- the datcj but they have also arranged for a committee, of which Lord Strathcona (the venerable High Commissioner of Canada) is acting president, and on which are the names, of over a score of the leading politicians and noblemen in the ."United Kingdom. One anonymous donor has already promised £5000, and -Lord Strathcona h-ns stated his intention of donating; £1000. The exhibition as intended to advertise to the world "the many industries and 'arts of Great Britain over seas." , The growth" or Tirh'aru is indicated .by the fact that sixty-five applications for water services have- 'been dealt with during the last two months and forty-three permits h>ave \been issued for buildings involving, a total» estimated cost of £16,550. In a comprehensive review .of the financial borough the Mayor submitted figures to, show that contemplated further . loans • amounting. to £50,000 could ibe added! to _ the present loan debt of £170,000 ..without -increasing the rates. The purpose of. .the new loans arc for drainage and roading in the .recently annexed.. area and i erecting municipal 'buildings. When these are erected the .present' offices will be given up to the. fire. .-brigade. The . existing .loan debt includes the cost of improving water \storage from five to twenty- million/ gallons, 1 'This- work is now in hand. Durin.sr- the past year a suni of £1568 was spent on the recreation ground. The., Pu-blic Li? braryrhas about 1400' v regular ers. :' The premises' ar^T 1 already too Small, and application has been made to\Mr Carnegie; to <enlar,g-e. them. Underground drainage work, is making good" progress, '1198- premises beinqr conected with the completed SR^-r tiohs!' The Council allows up to £10 in each case, and these navments will r^sorb £241/000 in tlv* oH WouH-i. The . nevt- Jpadnvr work- 'he Council V must vconsiden -is.-. 'the of trarps, and' the Mnvor thought a good system could be .-obtained for £50,000. ■■'.•.-■• :^ - M .-".,•.;.. .