I.—l.

No. 284, 1932-33.—Petition of ,1. E. Cullen and 259 Others. Praying for amendment of the Unemployment Act, 1930. I am directed to report that, as the Unemployment Board has now ruled that future subsidies granted by the Returned Soldiers' Association to provide work relief for unemployed returned soldiers are deemed to be neither salary nor wages for the purpose of payment of the emergency unemployment charge, the Committee desires to express its pleasure at the decision arrived at by the Board. 13th December, 1933.

No. 299, 1932-33.—Petition of H. Hayson, of Auckland. PRAYING for exemption from payment of unemployment-tax and for other relief. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th December, 1933.

No. 29. —Petition of V. J. Hellyar, of New Plymouth. Praying that he be enabled to lodge an appeal with the Court of Appeal. I am directed to report that the Committee is of the opinion that I he law should provide the fullest opportunity to an injured person to obtain from the Courts a final judgment on the merits of his case. That, having regard to all the circumstances, it was only reasonable for the petitioner to delay taking action by way of appeal until the judgment of the Privy Council in the case that was then before it was available to the petitioner. That in the opinion of the Committee the law should be amended to provide without limitation as to time an absolute right of appeal in all eases where the verdict of the jury is set aside by the Judge upon any legal or technical ground. That the ends of justice demand that in every case it should be the aim of the Legislature to ensure that the Courts shall give a conclusive judgment upon the merits of every case brought before it by litigants. The Committee therefore recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration, and also that the Government enter into negotiations with the Motor-vehicles Third-party Pool with the object of securing for petitioner a substantial ex gratia payment. 13th December, 1933.

No. 32.—Petition of W. Hodge, of Christchurch. Praying for inquiry into alleged grievances and for redress. 1 am directed to report that- the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th December, 1933.

No. 273, 1932-33.—Petition of Maud A. Bruce, of Wanganui. Praying for a compassionate allowance in respect of her late husband's services in the Public Works Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 14th December, 1933.

No. 190.—Petition of Burgess Brothers and 137 Others. Praying for a reduction in rural-mail delivery and rural-telephone charges. I am directed to report that, as a matter of policy is involved, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 14th December, 1933.

No. 193.—Petition of G. T. Climie and 421 Others. Praying that a Central Reserve Bank be not established. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 14th December, 1933.

No. 191. —Petition of A. S. Duff, of Invercargill. Praying for a rehearing of his appeal against dismissal from the Department of Agriculture. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 11th December, 1933.

5