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.