THE COAL VEND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3195, 15 April 1911, Page 7

THE COAL VEND.

COMMONWEALTH PROSECUTION.

ALLEGATIONS OF MONOPOLY AND OPPRESSION.

[.UNITED FEESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT..)

SYDNEY, April 13 The High Court has commenced hearing the coal vend cases wherein the* vend is charged with offences against the Industries Preservation Act. There is a great array of legal talent on both sides. The charges are—

(1) That, since September, 1906, there has been and stin is a combination between the Northern Collieries’ Association and the Associated Steamship Companies in respect of the trade in Newcastle coal between New South Wales and other Australian States.

(2) That this combination restrained trade and was intended so to do to the detriment of the- public. Counsel!, opening for the Commonwealth Government, undertook to show that the combine set out to make in tbe four years following the formation of the vend a profit of two millions sterling over and above the profit made nr 1906. The method was to estimate the probable, requirements of the- trade for the ensuing year, and apportion them among the mines according to their potential output. If a. mine put out more than its allotment, it would be compelled to pay four shillings per ton for each ton in excess, into the vend fund, to compensate the mines which put out less than their allotment. No quotations were allowed to be made or contracts entered into until referred to the vend. Counsel urged that the vend', by abusing its control over competition, had engaged in a great conspiracy with the ship owners to establish a monopoly of Newcastle coal , It had gone far beyond its proper objects, and. under the pretence of protecting the interests of the coal trade, had oppressed the public.