SPECIAL REPORTS FOR FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, 247
&amp; Co. Prop. (Ltd.). These concerns do a coastal business only.
Other lines whose ships touch at two or more Australian ports on
voyages to and from foreign ‘centers all follow the prescribed
schedules in their local operations. A similar understanding is apparent
 in the working of the Australia-New Zealand vessels. Two
principal companies are involved, the Union Steamship Co. of New
Zealand (Ltd.), and Huddart Parker (Ltd.). And yet there is
nothing in the way of published documents to show by what means
the several interests are related. Merchants and shippers whom I
have interviewed are unanimous in their conviction that these shipping
 companies are “combined,” but from none has it been possible
to get any concrete proof. The managers of the companies themselves
 are extremely reticent, and while not actually denying the
existence of an understanding, are unwilling to affirm it. Sti the
evidence of experience leaves no doubt as to there being at least. a
“-gentlemen’s agreement ” at the back of the conspicuous unanimity
of conduct of the various services.
The sugar industry.—The production of cane and refining of sugar
in Australia are almost entirely in the hands of a single great concern,
 the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. (Ltd.). Cane growing is confined
 to the two States of Queensland and New South Wales, and in
both the operations of this company are extensive. It is essentially a
“ close corporation,” and while not being declaredly a monopoly is so
in effect. Gradually small producers have vanished, usually, when
their interests have been of appreciable value, by being absorbed by
the “ C. S. R.,” as the Colonial Sugar Refining Go. (Ltd.), is locally
known.
Australia is both an importer and exporter of sugar. In 1907 the
exports exceeded the imports for the first time. In 1913 the figures
were: Exports, 3,419 tons; imports, 74,861 tons, showing that the
present tendency is for Australia to use most of its sugar at home.
Such exports as are now made go principally to the United Kingdom,
South Africa, Portuguese Africa, and the Pacific islands, but the
bulk even of this is not of Australian origin. Of the 1913 total, 8,419
tons, only 6 tons was of Australian origin. The sugar so reexported
comes mainly from Java, Mauritius, and Fiji, at which last-named
place the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. has extensive holdings. In
beet sugar Australia has so far done nothing but experiment, and
that in a very small way, the industry being confined to the State
of Victoria.
But of the inner workings of the Colonial Sugar Refining Co.
(Ltd.), little is ascertainable. That the company is jealous of its
interests and guards them most carefully from outside attacks is
manifest to all who follow the trend of commercial practice in Australia.
 The fact that there is but one principal sugar company is
significant and points to an organization of peculiar completeness.
Foreign-buying methods.—It is not common practice in Australia
for buyers of foreign-made goods to syndicate their purchasing.
The larger department stores and most of the jobbing houses buy
extensively through London representatives. American goods, as
well as British and continental, are handled in this way, but in
practically every instance the buyer operates for his own client and
is in effect an employee of his Australian principals. This is not
to say, however, that local buying from traveling salesmen is dis-