169
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13.
It has already been stated that the Commission
were not entirely satisfied that Japanesc competition
could be described as cither uncconomic or unfair.
In these circumstances the next question which urgently
demanded consideration was whether the manufacture of
comont in this Colony was cconomically sound. Opinions
wore divided but some measure of agreement was reached
on the fact that the Groen Island Cement Company as at
prosent constituted was over capitalised, and that it
could not be said to be economically sound until such
time as it had reduced its capital.
14.
In the light of this agreement it was then
necessary to decide whether the Company had any special
claims to consideration which would outweigh the disad-
vantage of subsidising an unsound industry.
15.
First and foremost was the claim of the
Company's vital importance to the Colony in the event
of war. This was referred to the Naval and Military
authorities with somewhat surprising results.
The
Naval authorities replied definitely in the affirmative
XXXXXXXX, while the Military did not regard the Company
as of any importance in time of war but were of the
opinion that if the Company censed to exist the price
of Japanese coment would immediately rise to the level
of, or higher than, the present Green Tsland Cement
Company prices, XXXXX
16.
On this latter point there is no evidence
before the Commission and the question must remain a
matter of opinion and argument. It is, however,
interesting to note that a fenture of Japanese competition,
which was commented on by the Straits Settlements
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