TOBACCO INDUSTRY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 47, 24 February 1906, Page 5

TOBACCO INDUSTRY.

REPORT OF A ROYAL COMMISSION. STATE MONOPOLY FAVOURED. ONE MEMBER DISSENTS. [PIIKSS ASSOCIATION.] (Received February 24, 10.17 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. The Royal Commission on tho Tobacoo Industry, in a, majority report, finds ,that there has bee*n a falling-off in local factories owing to tho existence of ft "combine," which has also caused ft decreaso in tho locally-grown leaf, reduced wages, and led to tho employment of women. Tho effect on growers is disastrous, because it has placed them at tho meroy of ono buyor, who has fully used his opportunities. The Commission recommends that the Industry bo made a Government monopoly. It estimates that £1,400,000 per annum will bo obtained in duties, It further recommends that tho matter bo submitted to a referendum of tho electors. Senator Grey, In a minority report, •toys that the cvldrnco heard by tho Commission, rather than Justifying Stato monopoly, was entirely against it. Ho denies that the combine has a monopoly, Jtnd still lew). Unit it is injurious to trade. Mo coiisi'l«i's tho figures of hi« colleagues ) in regard to estimated profits to be entirely fallacious.