MONOPOLIES BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1010, 1 October 1903, Page 2

MONOPOLIES BILL.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, last night,

At a meeting of the Council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce the Trades Monopolies Prevention Bill was discussed. One speaker said he could not but think that there must have been some reason for such proposed drastic legislation. It was brought in by Mr Seddon, and it was reasonable to assume that he had been prompted by some knowledge they were not all possessed of. At first sight the Bill struck him as necessary. He could not imagine a condition arising in the colony that would require such legislation. Mr Aickin thought the Bill somewhat crude. It was so comprehensive that it would be difficult to say what businesses carried on in New Zealand might not bo considered monopolies. As at present constituted the Bill was utterly impracticable. He proposed that the Bill be referred to a joint committee of manufacturers and importers to consider, and report within a week.

Mr Philson proposed as an amendment that this Council entirely disapproves of the conditions of the Bill, on the ground that it is injurious to the best interests of trade, and that Chambers throughout the colony be requested to co operate with this Chamber to oppose the passing of the Bill in its present form. The Chairman remarked that the producer was certainly not considered by the Bill. An attempt to withhold produce for •want of a profitable market would come within the scope of the Bill. Mr Aickin said the intention of the Government might be good, but much wouid depend on the way it was carried out. To place in the hands of a police inspector power to overhaul a company’s books was absurd. The amendment was lost, Mr Aickin’s motion being agreed to.