THE TRUSTS ACT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10517, 29 November 1912, Page 3

THE TRUSTS ACT.

Per Press Association. Wellington, November 28. Mr Fairbairn, of Fairbairn, Wrigbt and Co., was further crossexamined when the Trust Acts prosecution, resumed to-day. Witness said his firm allowed all their customers in sugar the same discount, retaining one or a half per . cent, themselves on lines which they indented. They charged from 2}4 per cent, to 10 per cent, for tariff lines. Infreply to a question as to what was considered a fair profit for retailers to make on Weaves Food,,,witness said some retailers had evidently been "content withji profit of 16 per cent. Counsel wished to ask witness what profit his firm made on lines that were not tariffed? Mr Fairbairn asked if he were bound to answer the question? The Chief Justice said witness should not be asked , to disclose his private business. What had the question to do with the case? Counsel: “This witness says he can sell sugar at % P® r cent., and we wish to show that if he can do so it is by making a bigger profit on other lines.” Witness said the suggestion was that his film charged higher prices for some goods than other merchants did., He would |be willing to produce his price list to be compared by the Court with a price list of even date issued by the Merchants’ Association. vr Afer further examination the case closed for the Crown. .. Nonsuit points were raised by counsel on behalf of the Sugar Company, the Merchants’ Association and others, but His Honor said he did not think it necessary at this stage to express any conclusive opinion. He had not formed- any conclusive opinion, but lie thoughtthe case required further investigation. Pie, therefore, refused a nonsuit. ■ Defendants did not call any evidence, and counsel is addressing the Court.