AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8002, 13 December 1905, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

OUTCRY AGAINST FEDERATION Received 12,10.17 p.m. Sydney, December 12. Mr AVatson, Leader of the Labour Party, regrets Mr Carnitkers 1 action, on the ground that it will intensify, rather than remedy, the bad feeling existing between the States. Still, he is convinced that New South Wales lias more to gain from federation than any other State, though New South Wales has undoubtedly made sacriliees, hut, after all, these are no greater, proportionately, than thos# made by the other States. Mr Cook, Deputy Loader of the Opposition, says there has been a want of consideration for New South Wales by some of her own members. He had tried half-a-doien times during the present session to get Parliament to consider his views on the point of the State Parliament, but had been ridiculed by Sir W. Lyue and other of his friends from this State.

"It is the fashion," said Mr Cook, ' "to blame the Victorians for all the I trouble, but it is unfair to do so. If : blame attaches to anyone it is to out representatives first." i Mr Bruce Smith said that though i many politisans deprecate Mr Carruthers' action, ho was disposed to think there was no other way of impressing the Victorian representatives and people that the people i'f this State were in earnest.

Biiibbane, December 12. The " Daily Telegraph," commenting on tlie situation, says:—" We Lave had live disastrous and miserable years under tlie regime of federation. Those wlio fought for it, voted for it, and paid for it, are more disgusted than those who fought against it, and now, in very loud tones, our nearest Southern neighbours are clamouring for secession; i'liey never had anything to gain by the Union, and the marvel was thoy illowed themselves to be drawn into it. ANTI-TRUST BILL. Received 13, 0.2 a.m. Melboubne, December 12. In the House of Representatives, Sir W. Lyne's Bill, providing for the preservation of Australian industries and the repression of commercial trusts was read a second time. The Queen Victoria Memorial Bill passed all stages. The Manufacturers 'Encouragement Bill was read a second time on the voices.

In committee Sir W. Lyne moved an amendment that when the Minister of Customs had certified that the iron industry was sufficiently established, and the certificate was sanctioned by Parliament, that the duties should come into force. He explained that when the manufacturers of wire netting, or reapers and binders, obtained thoir iron from local manufacturers ho would ask Parliament to proclaim the duty

thereon. Mr Cook characterised the Bill as frivolous, a waste of time, a farce and a fraud. No iron, ho hnid, could be mado from Australian ore till 1907, and until produced locally in consider, able quantities the duties could not come into operation.

j Mr Deakin declared the Government was convinced that the manufacture of iron was worth a great national sacr ilico, ' and that any expenditure incurred would bo recouped in tho development I of the industry. Owners and prospective owners of ironworks were well aware that no immediate "duties were imposed, but they declared that the passage of the Bill was of the greatest advantage to them. The third reading was carried on the Toiees. Beecivcd, 13, 1.6 a.m. ' Melbourne, Dceccmber 12. Sir W. Lyne's Bill defines a Coin- ; uiercial Trust Combination, whether 1 within or beyond Australia, as consisting of separate and independent persons whose voting power or determinations arc controlled or controllable by, ' firstly, the creation of a Trust or Corporation wherein tho Trustees or Corporation hold the interests, shares, or stock of the constituent persons; 1 secondly, an agreement; thirdly, the .'.reation of a Board of Management or its equivalent; fourthly, or sonic sinii- ' lar means. ' Under the Dill,competition is deemed I lo be unfair if, under the ordinary i circumstances of trade, it would probably lead to Australian goods being either withdrawn from the market, or sold at a loss unless produced at a lower remuneration for labour. I'rovision is made for a Board to be appointed by the Minister to investigate, and where there is proof of a wilful contravention of the Act, a line of £SOO or six months' imprisonment may be imposed, aud the contract is also declared illegal and void. Any person | injured by such contravention is empowered to recover through the Court : treble the amount of damage caused 1 by such injury.