The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning. Tuesday, August 14, 1888. MONOPOLY—REASON—SUICIDE.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 182, 14 August 1888, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning.

Tuesday, August 14, 1888. MONOPOLY—REASON—SUICIDE.

Be just and fear not; Let all the ends thou aim’st at be thy country’s, Thy God’s, and truth’s.

One of the great drawbacks to this favored, but yet miserly treated, district has been the divisions which exist among the residents and settlers: we do not remember there ever was unanimity except on one important question, and now there is perhaps not one who does not admit that the unanimity of that, occasion has been disastrous in its result. The question to which reference is made is now the cause of more serious thought than many care to have forced upon them. Bearing in mind these wide differences on almost any subject, we feel a reluctance in ‘‘ throwing cold ’ water '• on any ssheme that has for its object the general benefit, but we cannot allow to pass unnoticed a suggestion that the district should go in for speculating n a steamer, to be owned in the dis-» trict, and also we feel impelled to comment on charges that have been made against ths Union Company. With regard to the first we are convinced that at the present time it would result in a dead loss to those who were foolish enough to be a party to it. If the project were taken up by a syndicate of commercial men, at their own risk, it would take the nature of a private speculation to which no one could object, provided the public reaped the benefits and the owners stood the risk. But we must strongly denounce such an undertaking being given the flavor of a public concern, because we are afraid some might be led to pay very " dearly for their whistle.” Monopoly of trade is at all times dangerous, and competition is said to be the soul of business, but there are times when a healthy monopoly and comparative immunity from competition, are to the advantage of a community, and we believe, when all circumstances are considered, it is the best in this case, at any rate until we are enabled to break the monopoly by our strength and not by sacrifice: self-reliance should never mean suicide. It would perhaps be difficult to get a better boat to take part in our trade than was the Thomas Russell (subsequently wrecked), yet we believe we are correct in saying that her owners could not make the work pay. At that time the vessel could come right alongside the wharf and take in her cargo—no such thing as lighterage or breakwater. Still the support was insufficient, and it is not likely to be any better now. The plain fact is the Union Company’s trade along these by-ports is now barely paying, and successful opposition might lead to disastrous results in the long run. When times brighten up many things may be done which it is not prudent to do now, and bemoan as we may about monopolies, the truth is that we have just to knuckle-down to the Union Company, which has a good deal more to do with the future of the district than some people imagine. If, as stated, outsiders are willing to undertake the project mooted, then we say let them do so | the settlers could then well afford to look on and applaud, at the same time reaping the benefits j but if it were attempted to give it the shape of a public undertaking, we should strongly oppose it as being utterly ruinous. Then as to the allegations made against the Union Company. While affirming the Company is quite as liable to oritioism as such concerns usually are, charges have been made against it which are totally untrue, Of course an effort is always made to keep to the time-table dates, which any commercial man would consider a good point instead of a failing, but it is sheer nonsense to say that the Company will not put itself out of the way to suit the convenience of shippers here. Things are so depressed just now that the local agent is only too glad to make every effort to secure cargoes of stock or anything else for his boats. An Instance of this occurred the other day, and our contemporary was (unintentionally we should hope) led into a gross mis-state-ment in connection with that incident. An intending shipper of sheep made arrangements with the Union Company’s agent to ship his sheep on a certain day, but subsequently, after every pre» paration had been made for the recep. tion of the sheep, the owner requested that he might be allowed to make the shipment on another day, Although much inconvenience was thus occasioned to the Company, the request was granted. On the second occasion the weather was too rough, that being a contingency which np one could remedy. On the third occasion preparations had again been made, and everything was favorable, but the sheep had previously been in the rain, and when it came to the point it was found they had the cramp and could not he got aboard, Now, where is the blame to be laid ? Unfortunately the markets are too precarious for much shipping to bo done

just now, and if there is the possibility of opening up a good market with Napier or Wellington, by all means let us do our best to make good use of any opportunity ; but until there is the least prospect of profitable investment, it will oe more to our advantage to struggle on as we are going instead of inducing people to risk the “ building of vessels to suit the breakwater.” If we thought •it would be for the public good we should welcome the project, but as we feel assured that it would only benefit business people who incurred no risk, the sole condition of our approval would be that it were shorn of all supposition that it was a public concern.