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valuing should he done. And the wool-brokers and the wool-buyers might also make recommendations. I think that every sheep-farmer and every person interested in this business knows that time is the essence of the contract in this matter, and we want to arrive at a decision and get a reply sent to the offer of the Imperial Government, so as to avoid disorganization of trade and congestion in this country. It is absolutely essential that a decision should be come to as quickly as possible. Every possible assistance which the Government can give to the producer and to all sections of the industry will be given freely. I know that you as producers will do what is equitable and just, as you have done since the commencement of the war. Mr. G. I). Greenwood : There is one aspect of tho question that has not been touched upon. We in New Zealand are to have our wool commandeered. The other parts of the Empire have not been asked. The effect of this commandeering of our wool will be to enormously increase the price of all wool placed on the market. Therefore the other parts of the Empire will benefit by this commandeering of our wool. The various sections of the conference then held separate meetings as follows : Wool-growers (chairman, Mr. H. D. Acland), wool-buyers (chairman, Mr. Walter Hill), wool-brokers (chairman, Mr. W. S. Bennett). Subsequently the above sections brought in the following reports : — Minutes of Meeting of Wool-growers. Wellington, 14th November, 1916. Mr. H. D. Acland was voted to the chair. Mr. G. V. Pearce moved, " That this meeting accept the Government's proposal to commandeer the wool on condition that the price to be fixed is the present selling-price in New Zealand." Mr. W. Van Asch seconded the motion. Mr. Hugh Burrell moved, as an amendment, " That the offer of the Imperial Government be accepted, subject to a 50-per-cent. increase on the 1913-14 prices, and that no refund in profits be ' asked for." Mr. T. Hodgins seconded the amendment. Sir W. C. Buchanan moved, and Sir J. G. Wilson seconded, " That the further consideration of the amendment be adjourned till 10 o'clock to-morrow morning." Negatived. The conference divided on tho amendment: Ayes, 24 ; Noes, 25 : majority against, 1. Amendment negatived. The conference divided on the motion : Ayes, 25 ; Noes, 22 ; majority for, 3. Motion agreed to. Mr. W. D. Lysnar moved, " That any surplus wool should be sold in, England or elsewhere by public auction." Mr. Ewen Campbell seconded. Motion, by leave, withdrawn. Mr. W. D. Lysnar moved, " That a Committee be set up to report to this conference to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock on suggested basis of prices, with power to call in whoever they think desirable. The committee to consist of Messrs. Acland, Pearce, Ewen Campbell, Van Asch, Macgregor, Greenwood, Burrell, Acton-Adams, Teschemaker, Turnbull, Lysnar, March ant, and Perry." Motion agreed to. Meeting of Committee. At the mooting of tho committee the following resolutions were agreed to : — A. That the wool-brokers be requested to give to the wool-growers, the average values of the various qualities of wool, at the present date—l4th November, 1916. That the brokers be asked to give us the values of 1913-14 clip, and the difference in percentage, between the different values of these years and the present prices. That this committee recommends the conference to accept the following prices as the average for the different qualities of wool undermentioned : — d. Merino, super . . . . .. .. .. 21 ~ medium .. .. .. .. 19 ~ inferior .. .. . . .. .. 14^ Half-bred, super . . . . .. .. . . 21 „ medium .. . . . . . . .. 19|Crossbred, super . . .. . . .. .. 18} ~ medium .. . . .. . . 16 Coarse crossbred .. .. .. .. .. 15} 365. 14} ~ inferior .. . . . . 13 And that valuers be appointed to value each parcel of wool, and decide whether the wool is above or below the. average value, and, if so, to what extent. And that in the event of the Government paying all charges after delivery in store, the prices to be reduced by \A. per pound. Meeting of Wool-growers. The conference resumed at 10 a.m., 15th November. The report of the committee was presented and considered. On the motion of Mr. W. D. Lysnar it was agreed, " That the report be referred back to the committee, with the suggestion that the figures be reconsidered on the basis of yesterday's motion

2—H. 38b.