1.—12

J. KEIR.

many of the local makers thought that the day of judgment for them had come. Most of them still survive; but we have all had to adopt this modern "scientific efficiency" system. We, too, had set up the motor-bike " cavalry " man, or have had to pay other people to do it for us, with the following results on the selling-cost :—

What we want for the future is 50-per-cent. duties against all such lines of agricultural implements as are now being made successfully in New Zealand, and for which the local makers can guarantee sufficient supply for the Dominion; 25 per cent, preference to implements and machines manufactured in the British Islands; a reduction of 5 per cent, per annum to be made on these duties until they are reduced to the Canadian or the Australian level, whichever happens to be the higher, and the British duties to 15 per cent. These duties would give us the trade we are able to do for several years, and enable us to fully employ all our returning soldiers. We want all raw materials free. If these duties are imposed, for my own part I would have no objection to prices and selling-systems being fixed either by the Board of Trade or any other body set up by the Government for the purpose, and the retail prices to farmers would certainly be reduced. What is wanted if all suitable secondary industries are to be developed to the utmost is a Minister of Industries and Commerce, so that the secondary industries shall have something like the attention the primary industries have had. Experts should be imported from abroad on short engagements to inspect the industries and advise those engaged in them, and report upon them, so that the country should know exactly how they compare with those in other countries. Selected men for different industries should be sent abroad wholly or partly at the Government's expense to look up the latest methods employed, and advise how far these are applicable to the conditions existing in New Zealand. Then the Government should take up the shipping business. It is quite as good a monopoly as railways, and New Zealand can never become the Britain of the South without, a national steamship service. What is more immediately required, however, is the taking-over of the ferry service, so that manufacturers in both Islands shall be able to get prompt supplies of raw materials and prompt shipping of their finished products. The Government should also undertake the through delivery of goods from any part of the Dominion to the customer. The importing-houses in the agricultural-implement business can land their goods at the same price at any port. The New Zealand maker must manufacture at one spot, and one of his troubles under the present conditions is to get his goods forwarded to his customer in time. To Mr. Luke.] As to the suggestion that the State should be a national buyer, I may say that lam not in favour of any more State control than is absolutely necessary. lam in favour of the State controlling essential monopolies, such as shipping and railways. I think the less State control of business the better. To the Chairman.] The amount expended in exhibiting at local shows is only a bagatelle. We were persuaded by some American people to do that, but they did not tell us that they were going to introduce a system that would cost five hundred times as much as to exhibit at shows; personal canvas and exhibits at shows are not necessary. F. C. Price, representing W. H. Price and Sons (Limitedj), examined. (No. 52.) We are chiefly engaged in brasswork, mechanical engineering, and in the smaller lines. There are many lines that carry no tariff whatever. I may mention mining and dairying. They can be made in New Zealand as easily as the other things we are making. The duty on brasswork from England is 20 per cent., and 10 per cent, additional against America, The local factories could be very largely extended were we encouraged by a sufficient tariff being imposed. There are many lines that are not made in New Zealand. I think the tariff should be increased to 40 per cent, British and 50 per cent, foreign. There is another matter that interests the trade

68

Agency Commissions. Retail . Prices. 1919. 1901. 1919. 1901. Double-furrow medium-weight plough, fitted with cast-iron shares and revolving skoiths Heavy-weight swamp-plough, fitted with, swivel skeith and 16 in. steel share Fifteen - coulter Star drill (combined pattern) for grain, small seed, and manure, fitted with canvas cover, turnip and hoe coulters 9 ft. 18-in.-disk harrow with wooden frame 7 ft. (11 tine) spring tine cultivator, ordinary weight Three - furrow medium - weight walking - pattern plough, fitted with cast-iron shares and rcvolving skeiths One set 4-leaf medium-weight tine harrows and tree One 9 ft. 24-in.-field-roller One 2|-in.-axle farm-dray, without frame or brake £ s. d. £ s. 5 4 3 I 15 (I. 0 £ s. (I. 34 15 0 £ s. (1. 17 10 0 7 2 6 2 0 0 47 10 0 20 0 0 12 9 0 4 10 0 83 0 0 45 0 0 4 4 0 1 10 5 4 3 1 19 0 0 28 0 0 34 15 0 15 0 I) 19 10 0 7 7 9 2 8 0 49 5 0 24 0 0 1 11 6 0 12 5 12 6 1 19 5 14 9 2 2 0 0 0 10 10 0 37 10 0 38 5 0 6 0 0 19 10 0 21 0 0 Total, nine machines j • 54 10 '6 18 15 0