THE FLOUR MILLING TRUST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11987, 9 June 1902, Page 6

THE FLOUR MILLING TRUST.

An open-air meeting, called by the Trades and Labour Council and the New Zea- \ land Socialist party, to protest against the institution of a milling trust in New i Zealand, was held on Saturday night, in J Karangahape Road. Mr. H. L. Horning (president of the Trades and Labour j Council) presided. Mr. Rosser moved, j " That this mass meeting, of Auckland citizens views- with serious concern an association in the South known as the Southern Milling Trust, and urgently requests the Government to introduce during next session a Bill making illegal all rings, trusts, and combines." Mr. Rosser pointed out the American nature of these combines, and the evil effects they had caused in their native country. * The Southern trust had, he said, tried to bully the Northern Roller Mill into joining byselling their flour in Auckland at £6 10s", at the same time as -they were charging £8 in the Southern cities. He pointed out that the British Government were assisting the British shipowners to fight the American shipping combine, and that this action of the Home Government should spur the Government here to take similar measures. As one who had for years championed the cause of the people, he. had great pleasure in appealing to the meeting to support the resolution. Mr. A. E. Irwin (secretary of the Trades and Labour Council) seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr. R. F. Way moved, "That failing" legislation against combines, this mass meeting of the citizens of Auckland urges the Government of New Zealand to take the I necessary steps to take over the manufacture and distribution of flour and other ! food supplies." He pointed out the diiti- ! culty of the Government suppressing any trust, and advocated its being owned and controlled by the people. The remedy for immediate application was for the ! people to co-operate, and by means of co- ! operative bakeries and mills, the trusts j could be fought and conquered. Mr. P. | G. Andrew (president of the New Zealand I Socialist party) seconded. Mr. F. J. Foster (manager of the Farmers' Cooperative Society) supported, and the re- ! solution, was carried.