THE METAL SCANDALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 July 1915, Page 4

THE METAL SCANDALS.

JN'mJKXCR OF MKRTOXS.' by aij?, iicuiks. liy (able Pi-ess Assoeiation—Copyright, Kecived July 27, 8.5 ✓.m. * Sydney,'.lnly 27. -Mr. Hughes, in a further statement about metals, quoted extracts from a. letter written by Mortons', London, in .May I!? 10 to the .Metaligesellschaft Company at Frankfort on Maine, suggesting a ' n'.n.'iition or arrangement "whereby we -hall be in a |iosition to regulate and ,-outrol t he market, hide our operatin.ii '.null dealers and brokers,, and gradually make them afraid to- inter-

Mr. itushes added that the method "d was approved, and from then licrman control of the British market was complete. This gives the idea thae Mel tons' and the lead convention worked the quotes of cablegrams from February 2 to .March II last, covering offers of a Jiritish lirm of excellent standing and in a. t.ig way of business to the Broken'' Hill • Proprietary Company- to purchase' its lead. The /inn's agent offered termssimilar to Mortons', at the same time suggesting certain alternative proposals.. The linn's final cable to its Australian agent asked, "Do tJje directors suppose }iri\Wi consumers prefer dealing with 3 ne-t of German Jews? The whole trade would welcome dealing with us. Suggestions impossible," adding, "Guarantee to pioduce evidence that consumers of fifty . thsusand tons prefer us to MurtoiuV' .Mr. Hughes adds that no business rrKuh.cil. yet the Broken Ilill Proprietary \vo!:M have the company believe that the company is eager to deal with British bin e; s. He goes on to say 'that as a ro»u;t of persistent (pressure by the Fediral (I'ovornmt'iit, the Broken Hill I'rop-i. tary were induced to give three s months' notice, expiring on June 30 last, of withdrawal from the Wad convention, and U nninating their contract with Mer-

Coming to the Broken Hill Associated > ' Smelters' Company's otfer of Saturday* la-1 to sell lend to the British Govern- V merit, which tlie Federal Government ap-' ■ proved, Mr. Hughes Bays that this is not r enough.' It is just a patriotic supply of genuine British manufacturers for munitions as the War OJUco describes. The efforts show .Meltons', the English firm and its agent, the War Office, and tieAdmiralty the tactics whereby it was hoped to confine the mind of the public ' • that Mertnns' unscrupulous methods had' 'driven out all rivals, that tlie Oovernnn'iit had only Hobson's choice to buy through Mertons\ Air. Hughes concluded, ''lt is essential' that all metallic products from Australia . and risewherc shall pass through British' channels. While Mertous' influence lasts ' German control is assured; we must de- " stroy it, and those supporting it."