COAL VEND CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 14, 11 July 1911, Page 5

COAL VEND CASE.

COUNSEL'S ADDRESS. By Cable—Press Association—Cop -.-right. Received M, 9.40 p.m-. Sydney, Ju' 'O.

The coal vend case has been r-.~.i:ncil. Mr. Knox, senior counsel for the defendant colliery proprietors, opened his address, and argued that it was impossible to monopolise Newcastle coal, as, except for gas-making, it had been shown in evidence that other coals were as good. Where an action was taken to preserve trade with the intention of ensuring the fair and proper remuneration of all engaged, therein was no offence against the Act. After dealing with figures showing that the profit to owners was only a shilling a ton, he submitted tlia.t no court should interfere with the conduct of an industry by people who understood it. lie conceded that a combination of colliery proprietors was necessary in the interest of the miners, also that the interests of the } shipping industry would be maintained if the Newcastle colliery owners lowered the price of coal. Every competitor in Australia would be crushed out of existence. There had been no evidence to show that profits had l>een exorbitant. Even if they had, how was the Court going to say whether they were excessive? No detriment arose from :in in- ' CTease in the price unless it, was raised out of all proportion to its intrinsic value.