Wednesday 20 June 2018

STEAMER SERVICE RESHUFFLE

The West Australian, 16 April, 1912

The State Government had with a view 
to looking after the interests of the producers 
in the districts concerned, taken into 
consideration the fact as to whether the 
sea service could not be maintained. and 
although it had been shown to be considerably 
cheaper to provide an overland service they 
were endeavouring to bring about a satisfactory 
steamer service so that passengers, cargo and 
mails could be carried at prices considerably below 
what had been asked for by the present contractor
when tendering for a renewal of the service. This 
Mr. Scaddan thought was conserving the interests 
of the people of the State and if it should be called 
socialism then it was socialism of the right kind.

Koombana and her souls were not even a month in their watery grave and Scaddan was 'tearing into' Mr. Moxon and his Adelaide Steamship Company dominance of the Nor'-West trade. How the mighty was about to fall. One wonders if this announcement and its timing was a form of 'punishment' for the unnecessary loss of such a prestigious steamer and 157 human beings; not only that, but the whitewash Inquiry which deserted justice for bereaved widows and orphans cast to the mercy of relief funds? 

Mr. Moxon had overplayed his hand; arrogance and welcome on the Nor'-West coast. 

Was there success to come from this, or failure? We shall see...

courtesy Trove.



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