FEDERAL POLITICS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12377, 16 December 1905, Page 9

FEDERAL POLITICS.

THE ANTI-TRUST BILL

CONSIDERATION POSTPONED TILL NEXT SESSION.

United PreM Association—By Electric TelogT*ph—-Copyright. MELBOURNE, December 15. In the debate" on the second reading' of the Anti-Trust Bill, the AttornoyGeneral declared the measure was. intended to be far-reaching, because the evils against which it had to cope were far-reaching. Mr Watson declared 10 woe increasingly evident that society would be compelled by some means or other to tako steps to curb increasing power being rested in the hands oc a few individuals. There were numberless oases in - Australia where the Larger trades had bumped out the smaller ones and raised prices. Ho trusted the general principles of the Bill . would bo affirmed. One matter requiring urgent attention was the shipping ring,' wninb fleeced consumers and producers by an ingenious system of rebates. Th« tobacco company and sugar company should also be dealt with. He was opposed to entrusting the selection of the Board to a Minister. No one of less standing than a Supreme Court Judge should be appointed. He advocated a longer time for the publio to consider the Bill. Nothing could be done in regard to harvesters for six months. The matter could be considered during the recess, and the members could attack the Trust question well armed next year. When the Bill reached the committee stage, Mr Storrer moved the postponement of the measure, in order to allow time for better consideration. Mr Deakin pleaded against its postponement. : After considerable discussion, the postponement \waa agreed to, Mr Deakin announcing it would be the first measure next session. '