THE METAL SCANDAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 75, 28 July 1915, Page 3

THE METAL SCANDAL.

STATEMENT BY MR HUGHES. United Pness Association. Sydney. July 27. Mr Hughes, in a further statement about metals, quoted extracts from a letter written l>y Mortons', Loudon, m May. 1910, to the Motallgesellschaft Company at Frankfort on .Maine, suggesting a convention or arrangementj "whereby we shall lie in a position to ( regulate and control the market. Indo. our operations from dealers and brokers, and gradually make them alraidi to intcrFere." Mr Hughes added that the method, suggested was approved.and from thenj German control of the British market ( was complete. This gives the idea that Mertons' and the load convention worked the quotes of cablegrams from February -' to March 11 last, covering offers of a British firm of excellent standing and in a big way of business to the Broken Hill Proprietary Company to purchase its lead. The linn's agent offered terms similtar to Merlons', at the same time suggesting certain alternative proposals. The firm's final cable to its Australian agent asked. "Do the directors suppose British consumers prefer dealing with a nest of German .Jews? The whole trade would welcome ideating with us. Suggestions impossible.'' adding. "Guarantee to produce evidence that consumers of fifty thousand tons prefer us to Mertons'." Mr Hughes adds that no business resulted, yet the Broken Hill Proprietary would have the company believe that the company is eager to deal with British buyers. He goes on to say that as a result of persistent pressure by the Federal Government, the Broken Hill Proprietary were induced to give three months' notice, expiring on June 30 last, of withdrawal from the lead convention, and terminating then contract with Mortons'.

Coming to the Broken Hill Associated Smelters' Company's offer of Saturday Inst to sell lead to the British Government, which the Federal Government approved, .Mr Hughes say:-. that this is not enough. It is just a patriotic supply of genuine British manufacturers for munitions as thr War Office describes. The efforts show Mortons', the English firm and its agent, the War Office, and the Admiralty the tactics whereby it was hired "to confine the mind of the public that .Mortons' unscrupulous methods had driven out all rivals, that fir Government had only Robson's choice to buy through Mortons'. Mr Hughes concluded, "It is essen fcial' that all metallic products from Australia and elsewhere shall pass through British channels. While Mertons' influence lasts control is assured; we must destroy it. and those supporting it."