INTERSTATE COMMISSION BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 156, 13 July 1901, Page 3

INTERSTATE COMMISSION BILL.

SHIPPING COMPANIES ALARMED.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyrighi Sydney, July 12.

Replying to a deputation protesting against the Interstate Commission Bill, the Premier said that he felt certain the Commonwealth Bill had no intention of doing anything inimical to the shipping. Sir W. Lyne, who was present, thought that shippers were taking an unnecessaryfright. Underlying the whole thing was the question of one State trying to divert the trade of another State. They could rest assured that shipping interests would not be interfered with in the way supposed. The shipping companies of other States are similarly up in arms against the Bill.

A deputation representative of the whole coastal and oversea shipping companies waited upon the Premier in reference to the intor-Statc Commission Bill. Sir W. Lyne was also present. It was eumplain'od that the Bill went beyond the four corners of tho Constitution Act, was most arbitrary, and would strangle tho shipping trade. The representative of the Peninsula Company voiced the views of the oversea shippers, and stated that many of the clausos worked in such manner that they seemed to say the sooner you sever your connection with Australian trade the bettor. They would certainly bring the people intended to bonctit to ruin.