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No. 24.—Petition of C. C. Bushby, of Hastings, Importer. Praying that the firm of C. C. Bushby and Son, Ltd., be reappointed wholesale distributors of fruit under the Internal Marketing Division, and be compensated for loss allegedly sustained through the cancellation of their appointment. I have the honour to report that the Industries and Commerce Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 3rd September, 1941. C. A. Barrell, for Chairman.

No. 28. —Petition of Putua Rangatira (W. P. Browne), of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Praying (1) for an increase in the prices paid to Rarotongan growers for bananas and oranges ; (2) that assistance be granted to the growers in a banana-replanting scheme ; (3) that Rarotongan special citrus fruits be sold on the open market in New Zealand on a consignment basis. I have the honour to report that the Industries and Commerce Committee has carefully considered this petition. The Committee is of opinion that the recommendations of the parliamentary delegation which reported on the Cook Islands fruit industry in 1936 should be further considered with a view to giving effect, where practicable, to such recommendations of the delegation as have not yet been carried out, in particular the recommendation for the inauguration of a long-term citrus-planting plan on the lines set out in the delegation's report. The Committee is also of opinion that steps should be taken promptly to assist in banana-planting to repair the ravages of the hurricane which occurred this year. The Committee recommends that this report be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 10th September, 1941.

Standards Bill. I have the honour to report that the Industries and Commerce Committee has carefully considered the Standards Bill, and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 10th September, 1941.

No. 43. —Petition of Lilian McKenzie and Others, of Queen Street, Masterton. Praying that the number of ladies' hairdressing-salons in Masterton be not increased. I have the honour to report that the honourable member presenting this petition having, at the request of the petitioners, asked leave to withdraw it, the Committee recommends that he have leave to withdraw the same. 9th October, 1941. J. Hodgens, Chairman.

No. 54.—Petition of G. E. Tyler and Others, Wholesalers. Praying that they be granted licenses for the importation of dry-cell batteries or, alternatively, that National Carbon Proprietary, Ltd., be ordered to supply such goods to the petitioners and other wholesale distributors of dry-cell batteries. I have the honour to report that the Industries and Commerce Committee, after taking exhaustive evidence on this petition, desires to report as follows (1) That the shortage of dry-cell batteries is due to shortage of certain raw materials used in local manufacture. (2) That, owing to restrictions now imposed by exporting countries, the official information received in New Zealand that release of such goods for export from those countries is only permitted where it can be shown that they are required for war purposes in the importing country, and the contrary statements made by exporting houses abroad as to the availability of dry-cell batteries for export, the Committee recommends that the Government keep the question of supplies under continuous review and, in the event of locally-produced supplies being unable to meet the position, that the Government should consider the issue of licenses when it can be definitely ascertained that the goods in question are available from exporting countries, (3) That the Committee views with approval the granting by the Government of an additional license to manufacture dry-cell batteries which, when in production, should solve the present shortage and distribution problem. (4) That the Committee is definitely of opinion that the present system of distribution by the manufacturer is not satisfactory, and also considers that the granting of licenses to manufacturers imposes responsibilities upon such concerns to see that a sound system of both wholesale and retail distribution should follow. The Committee recommends that this report be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th October, 1941.

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