ANTI-TRUST BILL

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1628, 16 December 1905, Page 3

ANTI-TRUST BILL

LABOR LEADER’S OPINION.

By, telegraph, Press Ass’n, Copyright Melbourne, Dec. 14.

In the second reading debate on the Anti - Trust Bill the AttorneyGeneral declared that the Bill was intended to be far reaching because the evils against which it had to cope were far reaching. Mr Watson declared that it was increasingly evident society would be compelled by some means or the other to take steps to curb the increasing power being vested in the hands of a few individuals. There were numberless cases in Australia where the larger trades had bumped out smaller ones and j raised prices. He trusted the general j principles of the Bill would be affirmed. One matter requiring urgent attention was the shipping j ring, which fleeced consumers and producers by an ingenious system of rebates. The Tobacco Company and Sugar Company should also be .dealt with. He opposed entrusting the selection of the Board to the Minister. No one of les3 standing than a Supreme Court should bo appointed. He advocated a longer time for the public to consider the Bill. Nothing could be done with the Harvester Trust for six months. The matter could bo considered during the recess, and members would then attack the Trust question well armed next year. In Committee on the Anti-Trust Bill, Mr Storer moved the postponement of the measure, in order to allow time -for its better consideration. Mr Deakin pleaded against postponement. After considerable discussion, postponement was agreed to, Mr Deakin announcing it would be the first measure next season.