ANTI-TRUST BILL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 135, 8 June 1906, Page 5

ANTI-TRUST BILL.

MELBOURNE, This Day. The new Anti-Trust Bill contains a number of alterations, the most) important being tlhat interstate trade is definitely brought within the scope of the measure. A oommercia] trust is made to include a combination, whether wholly or partly within or beyond Australia. "Unfair competition" is defined as "that which, in the opinion of a jury, is unfair in the circumstances." POSITION OF THE PARTIES. In face of the problems that it is proposed to grapple with this session, as outlined in to-day's cable messages, it is interesting to reoall th© position of parties in the Federal Parliament. Mr. Deakin took office with a ttotal of 18 supporters, the direct Opposition numbering 28, while on the cross-benches sat a solid body of 25 Labour members. Then there are tho two Independents, Mr. 'Kingston and Mr. Higgins, who generally votfa with the Labour party. On ordinary questions the voting will continue to be as follows: — Government \ 19 Labour corner 25 Independents 2 Total ... .... „.. 46 Opposition ... •.., ... 28 Majority for the Government ... ... 18 A Government with a majority of 18 would (says the Sydney Morning Herald) appear to bo in a very stable condition, but, unfortunately for the Government, six of its supporters refuse tfo be led by' the Labour corner, with the consequence that on extreme proposals they have voted, and will, it is understood, continue to vote, with the Opposition, thus reducing the Government majority by six. These two facts must be borne in mind ; on ord\aary matters the Government can win as a rule by 18 votes, but direclHy the Labour behests become too stringent it loses six of its supporters.