AN ABSOLUTE MONOPOLY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 31, 26 June 1914, Page 5

AN ABSOLUTE MONOPOLY.

IN AUSTRALASIAN COASTAL TRADE

PARADOXICAL EFFECT OF SOCIALISTIC LEGISLATION. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Keceived 2$ { 9.50 p.m. London, June 25.

Mr. Norman Hill, chairman of the Board of Trade's Shipping Advisory Committee, and secretary of the Liverpool Steamship Owners' Association, gave evidence at the Dominions Commission that he could not recommend English shipping legislates on the lines of Australian and New Zealand laws, because the bitter imposed handicaps which compelled the owners to recoup themselves by charging higher freights and fares than they would otherwise charge. The result of the restrictive legislation, he said, gave the regular Australian coastal steamers an absoute monopoly of the coastal trade, because outsiders were practically excluded. As far as ocean liners were concerned they had a virtual monopoly, because they could safeguard themselves by insurance against new risks, and by increased charges to cover legislative restrictions, but the tramp steamers which would otherwise cut in at reduced rates were unable to adapt themselves to the special requirements of Australian legislation. The witness said he believed that the ships engaged in the transport of Australian and New Zealand products formed a monopoly that was due to legislative shutting out of outside firms who would otherwise become competitors.