THE COAL VEND.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8930, 21 September 1907, Page 2

THE COAL VEND.

Press Association. —Copyright.

MpimounxE. September 21. In connection with the Newcastle coal vend question, ‘asked by representatives whether aiiy power- in the'AutHfmst tew cop Id prevent; ;a monopoly iu coal front ipamrialisuig Sir Wm. Lyne in reply said it struck him that there was power to deal with what seemed like monopoly in coal but ho would consult the ‘AUornov• General on tho matter. /'Mr ID Mills denies all knowledge of tho reported participation of the Union Co. iu the coal combine. Ho says that all the company's socalled business is contracted for between the Sydney and New Zealand offices and tho coal importers hero, 'fie states that owing to tho abnormal demand for coal at Newcastle interstate shipping firms are being seriously inconvenienced as the result of delays iu obtaining loading and considerable finaiicia], hiss inns fieen involved.

Sydney, September 21. Tho agents for the Enjierdalo state they were told distinctly that as the vessel was outside the vend if, was no use trying to got cargo, and tho'lJnion Co., when asked to accept the’ chapter, had plenty of bottoms of theit own. They further stated'that they can get coal ‘at any time from .the • vend, provided they Ship it through', the Union Co., or can got it from some of tho companies outside the combine,_ but it so happens in the present instance that other coal will not suit the firm who gave tho charter. Arrange* meuts are onw being made to ship .certain quantities through the IJuion Op/

Per Press Association Dunedin, September 20.

A Dunedin gentleman prominently Identified with the Newcastle coal trade 'was interviewed to-day on the subject of the coal vend. Ho said that two important factors were responsible for tho oresent position of affairs. Ono of them Was tho harassing conditions imposed by tho various coal miners’ unions, and tho other' was the’ phenomenal increase in the demand for Newcastle coal In the Bast. A demand which assuredly' would increase rather than .ds.creasy. Asked what the probable effect would be ift this colony, tho speaker said ho behoved it would lead to a further iaorß3.se of 2s per ton before the close of tho present year.

“ Do you think the New Zealand shipping companies av© in any way responsible for the ccmbiny and increase in price ? It is not nil owing to the demand elsewhere ?” . .

' "It ’is not all owing to the demand elsewhere. ''.Tho colliery proprietors are « & ci refuse tho orders. ” All the coal carrying companies interested p’ust take what they eau got or go without. This of course’ affects New Zealand vessels seriously, because it reduces their prospect,.; of hade loading. I estimate that our shortage during the past 12 mouths m : Newcastle eoaf alone amounted to 20,000 tons. Included' in this ’amount u&’j am} opder from the Government for 40, oy O ther, which w;' could not look at because wo con hi nop gvi dobVery at Newcastle. Tin; outlook is net Id an bright. Fortunately the advent of sumni/u* will reduce the demand oonEidornbiy for a fciine, but until Stockton and Para-para coat miaws get into full suing on the (vest; Coast wo will have to submit to tho present conditions. At any rate as mutters now stand it would seem’that the TDuioa Company have a complete monopoly of the coal carrying trade to this colony with tho exception’of small cargoes being carried by the Craig line of Bailing vessels, and it is considered doubtful if tho latter will bo accorded that privilege much longer.