1.—16.

2

REPORT. Report of the Lion and Steel Industry Committee on Petition No. 358, Session 11, F. W. Haybittle and five others, praying the House to pass such Legislation as will encourage the Production of Iron and Steel from New Zealand Iron-ore and Ironsand. The Committee to whom was referred the above-named petition has the honour to report as follows :— 1. The Committee is of opinion that it is desirable, in the interests of this Dominion, to encourage the production of iron and steel from the ores of the country. 2. That the proposals of the Ethelburga Syndicate, as laid down in the draft Bill now before the Committee, appear to be unsatisfactory, and the Committee does not recommend the acceptance of these proposals in their present form. 3. That the Government be recommended to make full inquiry into the question at as early a date as possible, with the view of ascertaining the terms on which investors are prepared to provide the necessary capital to develop the industry on an adequate scale. 4. Further, as an alternative, that the Government should fully inquire into the advisableness of developing the industry as a State enterprise. 5. That the Government should insist on the terms of the Parapara and Onakaka leases being complied with. 4th November, 1912. A. Malcolm, Chairman.

LIST OF WITNESSES.

Page P a ge l.j. Smythe .. .. .. ..3 9. J. H. Witheford .. .. ..40 2. J. W. Poynton .. .. .. 4 10. J. Smythe .. .. .. .. 45 3. Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward .. ..9 11. A. W. Blair .. .. .. ..45 4. J. B. Laurenson .. .. ..11 12. M. Myers .. .. .. ..47 5. J. Dunbar .. .. .. .. 15 13. H. J. H. Blow .. .. .. 47 6. J. Smythe .. .. .. .. 24 14. H. J. H. Blow .. .. .. 57 7. T. M. Milligan .. .. .. 25 15. A. D. Bayfield .. .. .. 58 8. M. Myers .. .. .. .. 27

LIST OP EXHIBITS.

Page A. Report from G. H. Allan, Manager Parapara Company . . .. .. .. .. 59 B. Report by Harley E. Hooper, A.S.A.S.M., A.1.M.M., on the Property of the Parapara Iron Company .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 59 C. Quantities and Values of Iron imported for Five Years, &c. .. . . .. 63 D. Agreement between the Parapara Company and the Ethelburga Syndicate . . .. 65 E. Extension of Agreement between the Parapara Company, the Christchurch Mines Development Company, and the Ethelburga Syndicate .. .. .. .. 70 F. Agreement, between Thomas A. Turnbull and the Ethelburga Syndicate .. .. .. 71 G. Tables showing Steamer Distances between New Zealand and Great Britain ; between New Zealand and South. Africa, India, and Argentine ; and between Great Britain and Same Countries .. .. .. .. .. . . .. . . 73 H. Mineral Leases at Parapara . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 73 I. Onakaka Mineral Lease .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . 76 J. A. J. Washbourn's Mineral Lease .. .. . . . . .. .. .. 79