I—l 3

2

Fbuit-case Inquiey. I have the honour to report that in the opinion of this Committee it is considered desirable that steps should be taken during the recess to ensure that fruit-cases should be wholly manufactured in the Dominion, and that the Minister of Industries and Commerce be requested to convene a conference of the fruitgrowers, the sawmillers, and other interested parties to formulate a scheme for consideration by Parliament next session. 7th November, 1929. [Note. —Minutes of evidence brought up and laid on the Table. Not ordered to be printed.]

Cash-oedee Trading System. I have the honour to report that this Committee recommends that the legislation as proposed by the report of the Hon. the Minister of Industries and Commerce and the Secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce (H.-43) be introduced, but that the proposals be amended by deleting clauses 3 and 4, the latter part of clause 7 (after the word " twenty-one " to the end), and making an addition to clause 8 providing that the amount advanced should not exceed £10 in any one case. 7th November, 1929.

No. 383.—Petition of J. W. Ranson, of Wellington, and 155 Others. Peaying for an investigation into the methods and conditions of marketing fruit and vegetables in Wellington. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a suggestion that the inquiry should cover the whole Dominion. 7th November, 1929.

The " Maui Pomaee." I have the honour tc report that the findings and recommendations of the Committee on this inquiry are as follows : —(1) That the purpose for which the vessel was provided was for a service between Wellington, Lyttelton, Samoa, and Niue, and that such provision was justified; (2) that, with the alterations now provided, she is suitable for the service; (3) that, in the absence of private shipping, the provision of a Government vessel to carry out the present services was justified; (4) that from the technical evidence given, the Committee believes that the "Maui Pomare" is capable of giving good and useful service in the trade for which she was provided, but is of opinion that the crew's quarters should be improved immediately; (5) that the itinerary of the " Maui Pomare " be Wellington and Lyttelton to Apia and Niue; (6) that arrangements be made with a shipping company to take up the Norfolk Island trade ; (7) that suitable arrangements be made for the conveyance of fruit by rail from Lyttelton to Dunedin. 7th November, 1929. [Note. —Minutes of evidence brought up and laid on the Table. Not ordered to be printed.]

Special Rjsi>obt. I have the honour to report that the Industries and Commerce Committee desires to record its great appreciation of the ability and courtesy with which the Chairman, Mr. S. G. Smith, has presided over the meetings of the Committee during the session. It further desires that this resolution shall be recorded in the minutes of the Committee and reported to the House. Alex. Haeeis, 7th November, 1929. ; A member of the Committee.

Final Repobt. I have the honour to report that the Industries and Commerce Committee, consisting of ten members, has held nineteen meetings during the session, and that the average attendance of members at those meetings has been seven. The Committee has reported on a petition in regard to price-cutting in the retail tobacco trade, and on another from retail fruiterers. Under Orders of Reference from the House, it has also reported on the cash-order trading system report (11.-43), the " Maui Pomare," and the Dominion manufacture of export fruit-cases. In all, it has taken evidence from seventy-eight witnesses. 7th November, 1929. Sydney G. Smith, Chairman.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (450 copies), £2 10s.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l93o.

Price 3d.]