1.—12.

102

[r. lee.

We have evidence that the oil contains a great deal of sulphur, and it was said that the manager stated that the oil would be all right if it did not smell like cat-wash? —1 will not say anything about what Mr. Dunlop said at the time, as Mr. Dunlop came out as an expert, and he did not make a success of it; and he had to go back rather a discredited man; and the company suffered a great deal from certain statements that he made to really try and ease his repmtation a little. Would this oil produce kerosene as we know it ? —Yes, 1 understand that is one of the products; then there a*e the lubricating-oils, and certain spirits are very much more important by-products : there would be very much bigger quantities of that than any burning-oil. First-class oil is used for lamps?—l am not posing as an expert with regard to shale-oils, and I can only go on the reports that Sir Boverton Redwood and Mr. Ronald Johnstone have furnished, and their reports could not be better with regard to the quality of the products. Mr. Forbes: I suppose you will practically, require a new plant to start the works again?— No; the machinery has been kept in very good order. Mr. Johnstone in his report stated that the works were quite suitable even then for treating the shale. The methods have not changed to such an extent that any extensive changes would have to be made in the methods adopted at Orepuki. The Government mining experts do not agree with the optimistic report about the quantity of the shale? —I personally did most of the prospecting; and I think Mr. Johnstone's estimate was a very conservative estimate. Have you any reports from the Government Geologist? —Not that I am aware of. Have you ever asked for a Government report?—No, I do not think my company has. Is it the intention of the company to start again as soon as things are favourable? —As soon as they can put themselves in the position to do so financially tney want to get the works started. The company is quite satisfied that it is a very valuable property, and I think, when the company can do so they are going to start the works. Have they got a lease?—We have something like 1,200 acres; 1 think it is a Crown mineral lease —under the Coal-mines Act. W. S. Neill, President, New Zealand Boot-manufacturers' Association, examined. We have come along to submit to you some of our little difficulties in the trade. First of all, in normal times the trade has its slack times; but since the war there has been no shipping, and we have had a great amount of work to do, and we consider that a little more protection to the trade would be the means of keeping all hands fully employed. And then there are other difficulties we have to contend with at the present time. We have trouble in getting certain articles, such as heel and toe plates, which could be easily manufactured in the country. They are now manufacturing these articles in Australia. There are also iron rivets :we find great difficulty in getting those. Before the war we could buy heel-plates at from ss. 6d. to 1.45. 6d. To-day they are costing us £3. For brass rivets before the war we paid B£d. to B|d., and to-day they cost us over 2s. Ink is another thing we cannot procure; and webbing and eyelets are unprocurable. To the Chairman: We borrow from one another at the present time; those who have stocks oblige us with what they can spare. I think an extra 10-per-cent. duty would carry us through. The present duty is 10 per cent, ad valorem. We want a further 10 per cent, in order to keep the factories moving. J. B. Frame, Secretary, New Zealand Boot-manufacturers' Association, examined. In support of what has been said by the president of the association, 1 want to say that the boot and shoe industry is one of the very highest skilled and most efficient industries in New Zealand. I desire to dissipate the remarks which have been made in regard to inefficient employers. We employ about 2,500 hands, and if we had the assistance that the primary industries have we could easily double our output and also the number of hands employed. The first handicap I wish to draw your attention to is the heavy duty on machinery —something like 30 per cent, ad, valorem —that is machinery that cannot possibly be made in New Zealand. In view of the existing conditions it will easily be seen that it is quite a reasonable thing to ask that there should be a fair protective tariff on imported boots. To Mr. Graigie: They work very long hours in America, and the wages are not as high as in New Zealand. Another suggestion is that the Government should bring in a Bill to compel the production of pure leather. One of the greatest difficulties we have at the riresent time is in connection with adulterated leather. I do not blame the tanners, but I think a law such as I have suggested should be passed. J. D. Rae examined. In addition to what has been said by the other representatives of the boot industry, I desire to draw attention to the question of machinery : this is a very big question and considerably affects the industry. To Mr. Forbes: We have done nothing yet in regard to standardizing boots, because the Government has done nothing. You could not expect us to make a boot without knowing what the cost of the materials is going to be; the price has not been fixed by the Board of Trade yet. We are in favour of a standardized boot made out of pure leather, with the price stamped on the boot. The boot-manufacturers were quite prepared to meet the Government in that respect; we told them we were in favour of a scheme for standardizing boots in New Zealand; we want to help them all we can.