[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—I quite agree with
Mr. Shanks that the ordinary employer who has to sell his wares against unlimited competition, must continually strive to increase output in order to reduce cost, but what about employers in "monopoly " trades, in which competition is killed by buying out all competitors or forming associations with the express purpose of keeping up prices ? These " monopoly " trades are increasing in numbers and are not confined to the well-known cases in which enormous fortunes are made at the expense of the public, but now include certain branches of the textile and almost all other trades. It is only reasonable to assume that employers in such " protected " trades will be more anxious to maintain a high price than worry continually about devising methods for enabling them to reduce the selling price. -These " monopoly " associations are to some extent the consequence of present day Trade Unionism, which necessitates combination to be met by combination. Whether it is good for the country is another matter. The home consumer has to pay the extra cost and as regards the export trade it acts undoubtedly in restraint of trade.—I am, Sir, &c., Leeds. EDWARD BECKER.
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