MONOPOLIES AND COMBINES.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1919, Page 6

MONOPOLIES AND COMBINES.

It is apparent that tli * is a growing tendency to merge business interests with a view to establishing control of prices, and also for separate interests to in formally combine in fixing prices, and thus eliminate healthy competition. The Industries Committee 111 their report to Parliament therefore recommend that tlic proposed Department of Industries and Commerce be specially empowered to exercise a measure of control over all such combinations; to report annually to Parliament upon the nature and extent of such organisations; and to make inquiry into any complaint which may be made in regard thereto. The committee urge that the utmost vigilance be exercised by the Government as to the operations of meat-buy-ing firms in this country* so that the American Meat Trust may be prevented from getting a strangle-hold on one of our main industries.

Evidence was tendered by those representing the preserved milk and tobaeo industries to the effect that large outside corporations would be strong competitors with local Jrms employing purely local capital, ana that there is a grave danger to the local industries. The committee emphasise the importance of tht Board of Industries and Commerce being authorised to keep a watchful eye upon those concerns from which danger is to be apprehended, especially those employing other than purely British capital.