1.—13.

1926. NEW ZEAL A N D.

INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. HARRIS, Chairman.)

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Thursday, the Ist Day of July, 1926. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to deal with all matters in connection with industries and commerce ; with power to call for persons, papers and records ; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Atmore, Mr. Bartram, Mr. Forsyth, Mr. Harris, Mr. H. Holland, Mr. Macmillan, Mr. Sidey, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Waite, and the mover." —(Hon. Mr. McLeod.)

K EPOE T 8. No. 59.—Petition of A. Brokenshire, of Otahuhu, and 129 Others ; No. 60, Petition of L. Shearman, of Heathcote Valley, and 153 Others ; No. 72, Petition of V. Vitetta, of Nelson, and 65 Others. Praying for a restriction on the importation of tomatoes. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the question of providing reasonable protection for the New Zealand growers of tomatoes during the months of November and December should be referred to the Government for consideration. 13th August, 1926.

No. 79. —Petition of A. A. Corban, of Henderson. Praying for the improvement of the grape-growing and winemaking industry. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 20th August, 1926.

No. 104. —Petition of M. J. Perkinson, of Waihino, Waihi, and 23 Others (and 117 similar Petitions, as per Schedule hereunder). Praying for greater protection for the sawmilling industry. I am directed to report that the Committee, while not having sufficient evidence before it to justify recommending additional duties being placed upon imported timbers which are at present dutiable, is of opinion that timbers, other than hardwoods, which now come in free, should be charged a duty at least on the same level as Douglas fir. The Committee also recommends that, with a view to protecting the consumer, any increase in prices above those charged by the millers in November,