ANTI-TRUST BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1627, 15 December 1905, Page 3

ANTI-TRUST BILL.

STIRRING UP THINGS. Sydney, Dec. 14. Tho Daily Telegraph declares tho AutiTrust Bill in its provisions and tho eircumslancos in which it was brought forward, is politically monstrous. Tho only way of getting it passed if thoro should bo a majority in favor of suoh an astounding propo-al would be to knout it through with a gag—tho most appropriate method of passing such a Bib.

The Horald says :—lt ia hardly possible wo cau be oxpccied to take seriously tho extraordinary Anti Trust Bill disc'osed by Mr Doaltin, on tho one hand inspired by his protocticrvst wing, and on tho other by tho labor wing. Tbo whole Bill is moont to appeal to the labor vo!o, but labor will ho oapablo of scoing it may pay too dearly for i-s fads. Mr Deakiu has succeeded in shocking tho sonso of tho community. It is hoped that this will bo f.s far as his success may go.

, Melbourne, Deo. 14. At tho annual meeting of tbo Kauri Timber .Company .Mr H. Raid dodared tbo Anti Trust Bill might be better termod a Bill for the abolition of Australian indushiot. No doubt if it was carried into law it would injuriously affect tho company, It was soarcoly orediblo that in the prosent century a Minister of the Crown otuld bring forward a propo-al such as that whioh gavo the Minis'.or of Customs power to prohibit any artiolo imported into Australia likely to oomo into unfair oom petition with Australian manufactured articles. Assuming tho labor members proved to Sir Wtliiam Lyno that Queensland pina was bet or for butter boxes than kauri, tho company would bo ruined. They bad half a million of capital at stake, invested on tho assumption that under tho Brifsh flag they got fair play. He cover kaew such an iniquitous measure to bo introduced into a Parliament of repreaonta ives.

MR COOKE’S STRONG OBJECTION TO THE BILL.

By telegraph, Press Ass'n, Copyright Received 11.29 p.ui., Deo 14. Melbourne, Dec. 14.

Mr Cooke resumed tho debate on tbo Anti-Trust Bill. He urged that it should be left till next session, as it afleclod tho whole trade of Australia. He objsctod to the provision that tbo oporti'dons of a trust should be deemed unfair until provod otherwise. Tn 9 Harvester Company should have tho right of oppoal beforo (he Tariff Commission befotc anything was done. It was essentially au anti-trade Bill. In soeking to put down trusts a huge Government trust was being set up, more tyrannous than any private trust. The Bill was intended to foroo up prices. It would eoah'o the whole business of the iSountry to be run on sooiahstic lmes with'out the Government tekiog socialistic responsibility. Tho Government were trying to sceek in tho prohibition of import?, net by honest, straight-out protection, but iu a dishonest way. Tho provisions would provo most inquisitorial. The Minister should not have power to appoint a beard of enquiry. Ho advooatod the appointment of a H gh Court Judge. Tho Bill teas far tno drastio.

SECOND READING CARRIED. 'By telegraph 1 , Press Ass’n, Copyright Received 1./am , Doe 15. Melbourne, D:-c 14. After a lengthy debate tho Aoti-Trust Bill was read a second time on tho voices. A big fight is expected io Committee.