1.—13.

REPOBTS.

No. 97. —Petition of R. D. Taylor, Farmer, Hunua, and 1,283 Others. Praying for a reduction in Customs duties. I am directed to report that, as a question of policy is involved, the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 3rd November, 1932.

No. 102/31, Sess. 2.—Petition of W. N. McNabb, Miko Post-office, West/port, and 18 Others, and 11 similar Petitions as per Schedule attached. Praying for legislation making it illegal to impose conditions on the resale of foodstuff, and other matters. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd November, 1932.

Schedule.

Sardine Canning Industry, etc. Ī am directed to report that the Industries and Commerce Committee has considered carefully the proposals referred to it relating to the sardine canning industry, manufacture of nitrogen, of cellulose and other products from Phormium tenax, of rubber products, and of motor benzole at gasworks, and has heard evidence thereon. The Committee, while drawing the Government's attention to the grave danger associated with the granting of monopolies to private companies, even if only for a short period of years, is of the opinion that with adequate safeguards such action may be justified in special circumstances, particularly in view of the amount of unemployment at present in the Dominion, and the possibilities of establishing in the Dominion secondary industries not seeking tariff protection and dealing with raw materials produced in New Zealand. . In the opinion of the Committee, exclusive rights of manufacture should be granted only in cases where large financial commitments are called for, and where the circumstances are of exceptional character, having regard to technical and other features, and where the industry concerned is a key industry or industry of national importance, or where the industry would be a substantial employer of labour. Subject to the above conditions and reasonable prospects of marketing, the Committee recommends that favourable consideration be given by the Government to such applications as are supported by adequate and satisfactory financial and technical backing and subject to satisfactory safeguards against exploitation or detriment to public interest. In the special case of the manufacture of nitrates the Committee recommends that no grant of a monopoly to any company be made until it has had an opportunity of reporting further. The Committee recommends that the manufacture of motor benzole at gasworks be encouraged by granting some concession of excise duty subject to the use of no coal other than New Zealand in the manufacture thereof. 9th December, 1932.

No. 10.—Petition of Wairarapa Farmers Co-operative Association, Ltd., of Pahiatua, and 26 Others, and 74 Petitions of a similar nature as per Schedule attached. Praying that the Commercial Trusts Act, 1910, be amended. I am directed to report that, in view of the fact that the Commercial Trusts Act was passed for the purpose of protecting the public as well as retailers against the fixation of prices by monopoly interests, the Committee is unanimously of opinion that tobacco (including cigarettes and cigars) should not be removed from the Schedule of the Act. While the Committee could not recommend the removal of tobacco (including cigarettes and cigars) from the Schedule of the Commercial Trusts Act, they are of the opinion that the Government should make representations to all sections of the trade with a view to establishing more equitable trading conditions. The Committee therefore recommends that the Petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th February, 1933.

2

No. of Petition, j Petitioner. 155, Sess. 2, 1931 j B. L. Win and 15 others. 1G4, ,, B. Sutherland and 4,584 others. 165, ,, J. Brown and 34 others. 166, „ ; Mrs. J. Richardson and 816 others. 170, „ R. Trembath and 15 others. 171, ,, i F. Thorpe and 16 others.

No. of Petition. Petitioner. 172, Sess. 2, 1931 Mrs. E. Rostern and 7 others. 173, „ 6. N. Snow and 6 others. 174, ,, E. Samuel and 18 others. 175, „ W. Hannah and 6,000 others. 176, „ L. J. Vincent and 6, 255 others.