The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 79
Trade Agreements
Trade Agreements.
Many of the local businesses and indus- page 13 tries within New Zealand are already controlled by association agreements (written or unwritten), which exact uniform prices, etc., from the consumers. A trade association agreement, a combine or trust, that is not regulated by active State competition, completely nullifies any possible benefits that might be derived by the people from either Freetrade or Protection, as the prices charged to the consumers are made and adjusted as desired.
Many of the industries of importance in the United States and Canada, and many of the industries of Great Britain, etc., are now controlled by a combine, trust or business association, that regulates employment, wages, output and prices.