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" (3.) I elesire in particular to be advised on the following heads :- " (a.) Whether the facilities now commonly used can be improved, and, if so, in what directions. " (6.) What steps must necessarily be taken ter give effect to suggested improvements, and the cost involved. " (c.) On whom the, burden of the necessary expense should rest. " (d.) The advantages and disadvantages erf carrying into effect any suggestions which might be submitted for consideration. " (4.) If you can accede to my wishes in this connection, will you kindly direct your officers to approach Mr. Adams, of my Department, from whom all my papers and particulars in regard to this matter can be obtained." Following this request, a comprehensive and valuable report, em the subject was submitteel by the Bngineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department, and as a result the desirability of making a commencement at Wellington was clearly demonstrated. 'This being so, those in authority arranged for a serries of conferences between the Wellington City Engineer, Chief Engineer erf the Kail way Department, Engineer-in-Ohief of the Public Works Department, anel the, Engineer to the Wellington Harbour Board to take place. The last communication I have received is a copy memorandum elated the 28th June last, submitted by the; Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department, addressed to his Minister, which reads,- — " Thorndon Reclamation and Coal-handling Facilities. " Regarding the combined report of Messrs. Marchbanks, Morton, Mac Lean, and myself, desired by lion. Minister of Munitions, upon the best means for the development of coalhandling plant in Wellington, I have to report that a meeting of the above-named gentlemen tererk place yesterday, when the questions referred were considered, and it was decided ter answer both in the affirmative. The' questions are' as follows : " (I.) The' advisability of proceeding with the. greater reclamation scheme at Thorndon ; and " (2.) The advisability of providing facilities for unloading anel bunkering coal at Thorndon Reclamation. " The barer statement in ther affirmative is, however, erf little value until the' committee has fully explained ther position; and this cannot be' elerne until the' Railway Department has completed the plan of what are' considered to be the; requirements with regard to the station-yard for Wellington, anel, further, until that plan has been fully considered by the General Manager and definitely adopted as the plan lor the yard. It is anticipated that it will take not less than oner month for the .Railway Department ter consider this matter." On the return of the; Engineer ter the Wellington Harbour Board, who is now inspecting coalhandling facilities in America, it is trusted that this important matter will be; further developed. I may mention in passing that the Auckland Harbour Board have- also taken similar commendable action with a view to developing their port in this respect. PETROL CONTROL. 1. The National Efficiency Board having recommended the Government to assume control over the distribution of petrol-supplies, the proposal was submitteel to my personal advisers, the; Munitions and Supplies Board, who, in view of the; question of prices being involved, suggested that the matter be controlled by me as Minister erf Supplies, in accordance with such aelviere; as might be tendered by the. Board erf Trade. The; Board erf Trade was therefore requested by their President ter formulaic a suitable scheme. After consultation with those' interested and with my Department this was duly done, and embodied in the regulations published on the 12th July last. The; main objects of control are; firstly, to protect the consumer as to prices ; secondly, in the' event erf shortage, to take; timely action to provide for essential consumers' requirements in preference to those erf non-essential users ; thirdly, ter assist importers as far as possible' in the matter of securing adequate supplies ferr the; reasonable nee;els erf tire Dominion. In the' first, case, the prices have; been fixed and published lor the information of all interested parties ; in the' second place, a satisfactory arrangement has been come ter with the recognized importers and distributors whereby this provision is assured ; thirdly, I am pleased ter note from the confidential visible-supply statement placed before' me at the beginning erf each month that the' position is somewhat better than prior to publication of the regulations, and I trust this will be maintained. However, i.n tic e've'iit of a falling-oil' in prospective importations being revealed, the departmental system under which: the business is conducted will enable me to take early action with a vievw to improving the, prospects. 2. I desire fir recognize the hearty co-operation erf the Motor-garage Proprietors' Association of New Zealand, anel others assisting my officers in matters connected with distribution, and to acknowledge llic service's of Ihe'Berare! of Trade, who have; been ably supported by an honorary committee consisting of the following gentlemen: Messrs. A. G, Gate, G W. ShirtcliiV J. T. Martin, I. .1. Ryan, J. T<\ Cousins, anil W. Preedy. PRIORITY PERMITS. I. The hardening of the world's markets under war conditions is reflected in the work- which this branch of the Department is called upon to perform. In the early stages of the war it was necessary only to support certain particular order's on Great Britain, The need for' supporting almost, all orders