1.—13 A.

The attached copy of correspondence with the Waikato Collieries Association shows what may be prices, which, under good permi t 7 O tie Aot to dictate the retail prices, whether but if the mine-owners are pen 7 wnnld nerhans result in a very serious economic loss »in gs in pi and «dft g s, *c, to perform a public duty and supply a Dealers ' Association raise objection to the by a ' lT«fte 10 de,ir, a statement substantiating the foregoing, this association shall be pleased to arrange accordingly.

n +b wh TPphrnarv 1935 following an agreement between the Waikato coal companies fixing ft, p t L d ooS tf.y iiled »«w retail price MK ~—* »'«»»" tation with the retailers and was forwarded to them ml printed form. contained in the price smss; =ss=oKft IBI », tm, Association, who displayed what ™ Coal Merchants and De,lets' Associate on the 28th February, 1935, to the Waikato Collieries Association . c«,™ ? »v .t» r: J *" prices for Wellington and adviseithey tMs assooi^ion took place last night, when very strong I have to advise that a large meeting; beUeved to be an attempt to fix of its own accord retail resentment was shown towards your associat Wel);ilo . ton _ PriC lt a waf cfnSdTat?oTar o tfon°haJ no legal right to definitely fix retail prices at which dealers must sell your association's coal. , „ liwl fn n br,ain fair prices for coal for its members, and experience has shoUXAhe prices fixed h°ave been harely the prioes suggested, be is impossible and, I feel sure you will agree. < . t} ta y pr i ce s of the Waikato coal; but it was felt by At our meeting there was a stron §f™/before doing this an opportunity should be afforded your association the writer and one or two others present that before g! wou]d _ bc satisfactory to both associations. to meet our association with a '"T'.J, v the 6th March 1935, to permit of a reply being received from you. ° Ur advise whether your association is prepared to discuss the matter with a view to reaching a satisfactory arrangement. The Waikato Collieries Association replied on the sth March, 1935, as follows .— '' and letter of the 28th ultimo regarding the retail prices of Waikato coal at Wellington have been ar&ss s—<■«•>»*—- —- retail prices to read as follows: House. Domestic. Kitchen. s. d. s. d- B - d--66 0 65 0 63 0 Tons .. • ■ • • • • '' " 33 6 33 0 32 0 Half-tons •• •• •• " " !! 17 0 16 9 16 3 Quarter-tons .. • • • ■ '' '' '' g g 5 7 5 6 , a. •«'— »«■'» "» -"7 *■""°™- '* 2i Ji"ii b.™ ~pli,d in ft. ft. P.1.», low. M. and oft., The increases mentioned may apply only as_ tar as Wganau g 25th Februar y ; 1935 . SahnV m n UiZh^G?erifton CohS Ltd., is at present m Wellington staying at the Royal Oak Hotel. He will be pleased to furnish any further information you may require. The further following reply was received on the 12th March, 1935 .— At a meeting ot fti, «.>&=?& to do so. , , T wis directed to advise yon that, notwithstanding anything After carefully considering the whole position following retail prices for Wellington city contained in my letter of the sth instant, my.assocation fixed memo an<i (J WeZg r ton otylSt-ea)! PetZe and Hutt and other suburban a reason that railway-line beyond N»ahaurangaHouse. Domestic. Kitchen. s. d. »■ d. »• a- ,, 65 0 64 0 62 0 Tons .. •• • • • • "' " 33 o 32 6 31 6 Half-tons .. •• •" " . i 16 9 16 6 16 0 Quarter-tons .. •• •' " _ _ 58 57 55 Bags .. •• • " " " 35 34 33 Hundredweights

11—I. 13A.

81