TWO FEDERAL BILLS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12589, 26 August 1901, Page 5

TWO FEDERAL BILLS.

OPPOSITION IN ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA. United Press Association—lßy Electric Telegraph-—Copyright. LONDON, August 23. / The directors of British companies interested in Australian steamers are disturbed at the prospect of the passage of the Australian Inter-State Commission Bill, under which shipping companies are regarded as common carriers. It is felt that the measure constitutes a grave interference with business. Some gentlemen interested threaten to withdraw from the Australian service. The shipping paper “ Fair Play ” demands-that Mr Chamberlain should intervene and make every effort to prevent the proposed legislation.

SYDNEY, August 24. A petition, signed by the representatives of twenty-sis shipping companies, in view of the intervention of Home authorities with regard to the Customs Bill, has been forwarded to London. It embodies a protest against Clause 60, dealing with the unshipment of goods. MELBOURNE, August 24. In the Senate, during the discussion on the clause in the Customs Bill imposing duties on stores used in ships while in Australian waters, the statement was made that, if the danse were retained, it was believed that the .Union Steamship Company’s steamers trading to New Zealand would escape its operation. The clause was retained.