H.—22

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present we require a separate license for every 50 lb. we require, and for every license Is. is charged. We also think the duty ought to be remitted on miners' shovels, as they are their tools used in their business, and brought under the head " tools." This might be done in the shape of a drawback or under the Commissioners' decisions. James Eenshaw, Ironmonger. J. H. Smith (for Shortland Saw-mill Company, Limited).

No. 188. The Chamber of Commerce, luvercargill, to the Chairman of the Local Industries Commission, Timaru. Sir,— Invercargill, 14th April, 1880. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter re local industries, and herewith enclose resolution agreed upon by this Chamber at yesterday's sitting. I have, &c, John Turnbull. Resolution referred to above. " That this Chamber acknowledges receipt of the circular from the Chairman of the Eoyal Commission re local industries, and, having duly considered the same, would recommend a system of liberal bonuses for the production of manufactured goods, in order to equalize in some degree the higher rate of wages ruling in this colony with the rates prevailing in older countries."

No. 189. The Auckland "Working-men's Political Association to Mr. Commissioner Tinne. Sib,— Franklyn Boad, Auckland, 16th April, 1880. I am instructed by the committee of this Association to ask if you would kindly present to the Royal Commission re Native Industries the enclosed suggestions as to alterations we consider necessary in the tariff. In respect to the particular nature of the suggestions asked for by the Commission we were in total ignorance until too late for consideration; not from any apathy or neglect on our part, having written to the Chairman on the 18th March, and telegraphed on the 30th of the same month, asking him to kindly furnish to us the nature of information sought, hut without eliciting reply. A circular did reach the secretary, through the kindness of the Hon. 11. Chamberlin, on the evening of the 15th instant, in which it stated that replies thereto were to be sent in by the 16th. We venture to say, sir, the Chairman of the Commission has treated us neither fairly nor courteously ; we view it as an attempt to slight this and kindred associations, and naturally feel sore. Moreover, it would certainly appear as though ho even were not over-anxious to obtain all possible information. Had a circular been sent us in answer to my letter we should have had an opportunity of considering the matter in respect to particular information sought: as it was, after waiting day after day for reply, our committee were compelled to meet, and the only course they could adopt was to forward the enclosed, being what they supplied to the late select committee. I have, &c, J. Fawcus, Hon. Sec.

Suggested Alterations in Tariff, from the Auckland Working-inen's Political Association. Steam-engines, and parts of steam-engines for land purposes, 30 per cent.; machinery for steamvessels under 250 h.p. nominal, 30; machinery for quartz-crushing, 25 ; planing, punching, screwing, shearing, and turning machinery, 25 ; pumps and other apparatus for raising water, 25; agricultural machinery, 25 ; crab-winches and capstans, 25; railway plant and other material, 25 ; iron bridges, and all material which may be imported for construction of wharves, jetties, or patent slips, 45 ; weighbridges for carts, 50; wool and hay presses, 25 ; iron forges, 25 ; lamp-posts, 35 ; ploughs and narrows, 25; embossing-presses, 25 ; copying-presses, 25 ; springs, 25 ; screwjacks, 25 ; boring-tools, 25 ; stoves, grates, and ovens, 25 ; iron bedsteads, palisading, and balusters, 25 ; fire-bells and churchbells, 25; horseshoes, 20; bolts, nuts, screws, rivets, and castings for ships' use, 25 ; cast-iron lasts, 40 ; steel springs, 25 ; iron tanks, otherwise than malt tanks, 15 ; buckets and tubs of iron, 25 ; manufactured brass, 25 ; church furniture, 25 ; builders' furnishing, 20 ; carriages, carts, drays, and wagons, 30 ; washing-machines and mangles, 30; buckets of wood and tubs of wood, 50 ; churns, 30; perambulators, 25 ; toys, wooden, plain or painted, 30 ; earthenware drainage-pipes, tiles, and firebricks, 25 ; all imported furniture, to be subject to 50 ; bellows, 25 ; Venetian blinds, 20 ; fireworks, 20 ; all baskets and wickerwork manufactured, 25 ; manufactured cork articles, 20 ; mats and matting, 20 ; twine nets, 20 ; all tinware be subject to duty, 25 ; sheet-zinc, instead of paying 10 per cent., be admitted free.; ridging, guttering, and pipes for drainage purposes bo charged 20 ; lead and composition pipes, ss. per cvvt. ; empty bottles, 25 per cent.; commercial printing, 20 ;on all silk articles made up, 30; leather bags and leather cut into shape, 20 per cent. That duty on all manufactured boots and shoes be the same as imposed by the Victorian tarhT. AH candles, 2d. per lb. (except wax, 6d. per Ib. ; tallow, Id. per lb.) ; on all imported coal, 2s. 6d. per ton; on all apparel and. ready-made clothing, 30 per cent. This Association requests the attention, of the Commission to the fact of American bottoms on this coast trading in competition with colonial vessels. Requested that the attention of the Commission be called to the matter of sugar duty, to encourage sugar-refiners in this country; and that the attention of the Commission be directed to the necessity of encouraging paper-manufactories in this colony. Signed on behalf of the Auckland Working-men's Political Association, John Fawcus, Hon. Sec.