LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13883, 7 November 1910, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Ffun.v, Novemi'-.-i 4. , The Council met at 2M p.m. COMMERCIAL TRUSTS. I The .second reading ot the ComiiicrIcial Trust* Bill was""resumed by the i Hon. \Y. BEEHAX- He alluded to J the lish ciimbine in Auckland, and ali le-ted that whilst a few years ago fi<*h. j were plentiful there, now they wero ) .il.no.s_ a luxury. He urged the inI chit-ion of lish in the _ohcdule of tiie Bill. Tbe Hon. J. BARR said he did not. think the Bill would attain tbe object ior which it was introduced. Thi. trouble w. s that there were too many manufacturer.*. I! certain .lapses of manufacturer.* combined. they would li. abb' to produce at a lower cost, to the benefit of the consumer. The Hon. ii. E. WIGRAM. while recognising that the Bill was a good one, did not think it would have to bo put into operation for some time. It would probably act chiefly as a notice to foreign combines to "keep off tho grass."' and .so would do good, lie hoped the Bill, which would he welcomed, would fulfil the purpose 'ntended. The Hon. .Dr. FIXDLAY. in a brief reply, said the essential justification 1 for all anti-trust legislation was that a j monopoly or trust could tax without J representation, as consumers had :io ! voice in the regulation of prices. Speaking in regard to the schedule, ho said that if it wa. found that a monopoly existed in shipping or any other industrial department, it would bo ea.sily added to the schedule. The BiU was read a second time. The Council then rose.