LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 256, 5 November 1910, Page 7

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4

The Council met at 2.30 p.m

THE TRUSTS

The debate on the second reading of the Commercial Trusts Bill was resumed. The Hon. W. BEEHAN alluded to the fish combine in Auckland, and urged the inclusion of fish in the schedule of the Bill. The Hon. J. BARR did not think that the Bill would attain the object for which it was introduced. The trouble was that there were too many manufacturers. If certain classes; ot manufacturers combined they would be able to produce at a lower costto the benefit of the consumer. Ine tendency towards combination was "beneficial, more especially in a sparsely populated country like New 2 T&Hon. J. R. SINCLAIR did not anticipate interference which would hamper the operations of combines, unless the Government were conTinced that interference was required in the interests of the consumer. The Bill was one of those that depended almost entirely upon the way it was administered. The Hon. H. F. WIGRAM thought that the Bill would probably act chiefly as a notice to foreign combines to "keep off the grass/ and so would do good. The Hon. Dr. FINDLAY having briefly replied, the Bill was read a second time. , OTHER BILLS.

Th© Stone Quarries Bill was passed. The Opium Act Amendment Bill, the Kaiapoi Reserves Bill, the Inspection of Machinery Bill were read!,a second ■fcime. '''' -: '■■■' ■',■"■' '. '• ' ■■'•'■■■■■■ ■ The Council then rose.