AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL INDUSTRIES, STOCK, AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE), (Mr. HUNTER, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1920 Session I, I-10

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1920. NEW ZEALAND.

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL INDUSTRIES, STOCK, AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE), (Mr. HUNTER, Chairman.)

Presented to the House of Representatives , and ordered, to he 'printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 14th Day of July, 1920. Ordered, " That Standing Order No. 219 be suspended, and that a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of thirteen members, to consider all matters pertaining to agricultural and pastoral industries, stock, and commerce ; with power to confer and sit together with any similar Committee which may be appointed by the Legislative Council, and to agree to a joint or separate report; the Committee to have power to call for persons, papers, and records ; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Burnett, Mr. Field, Mr. Forbes, Mr. J. R. Hamilton, Mr. Hawken, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Jennings, Mr. Jones, Mr. Lysnar, Hon. Mr. Mao Donald, Hon. Mr. Ngata, Mr. Powdrell, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Nosworthy.) Tuesday, the 20th Day of July, 1920. Ordered, " That all petitions not finally dealt with during the session of 1919 be again referred to the same Committees as they were referred to during the said session." —(Right Hon. Mr. Massey.) Fkiday, the 30th Day of July, 1920. Ordered, " That Paper No. 137, ' Proposed Statement by New Zealand Overseas Shipowners' Committee to Press Association,' be referred to the Agricultural and Pastoral Industries, Stock, and Commerce Committee for report."— (Right Hon. Mr. Massey.) Wednesday, the Bth Day of September, 1920. Ordered, " That the Excise Tariff Bill be referred to the Agricultural and Pastoral Industries, Stock, and Com merce Committee." —(Mr. MoCallum.) Thursday, the 16th Day of September, 1920. Ordered, " That Standing Order No. 219 be suspended, and that the name of Mr. Masters be added to the Agricultural and Pastoral Industries, Stock, and Commerce Committee." —(Hon. Mr. Nosworthy.) Thursday, the 28th Day of October, 1920. Ordered, " That the Seeds Bill be referred to the Agricultural and Pastoral Industries, Stock, and Commerce Committee." —(Hon. Mr. Nosworthy.) Ordered, " That the Rabbit Nuisance Amendment Bill be referred to the Agricultural and Pastoral Industries, Stock, and Commerce Committee." —(Hon. Mr. Nosworthy.)

INDEX.

No. Petitioner, Ac. Page. 102 Acland, H. D., and 107 others 3 Excise Tariff Bill 2 Final report 3 164 Gelling Bros., and others 2 184 Hingston, G. F., and others 2 166 Johnson, Robert, and others .. 2 237 163 Kerr, Donald Kirkpatrick, George, and others 2 2 167 Lindsay and Co., and others .. 2

No. Petitioner, <fec. Page 169 Mookett, H. W., and others 2 162 New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association of Canterbury (Limited) 2 54 165 Rabbit Nuisance Amendment Bill Reid, I. H., and othors Roberts and Tullock, and others 3 2 2 Seeds Bill Special report (re Chairman) Special report (re Clerk) 3 3 3 168 Tyson, T. C, and others 2 38 Wilson, W. Stuart 2

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The Eight Hon. the Prime Minister to the Chairman of the Committee. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 30th July, 1920. Dear Sir, — I have to inform yon that the Government is exceedingly anxious, in view of the conditions existing in this country at present, and the necessity for arriving at a proper understanding in regard to getting our products away from the Dominion to the different markets of the world, that the Agricultural and Pastoral Industries, Stock, and Commerce Committee should take in hand an inquiry—firstly, as to whether sufficient shipping is likely to be available for the purpose of our trade, especially the export of our produce, during the next few years; and, secondly, to arrive at a definite understanding with the shipping companies as to what the rates of freight are likely to be, especially for wool, meat, dairy-produce, and flax. The Committee has power to call for persons and papers, and you will, of course, take into consideration increases in wages and cost of coal, and, generally, the cost of running ships as compared with the pre-war period. I shall be glad if you will let me know what you think of this proposal. Tours faithfully, W. P. Massey The Chairman Agricultural and Pastoral Industries, Stock, and Commerce Committee, House of Representatives, Wellington.

REPOETS. No. 38. —Petition of W. Stuart Wilson, of Wellington. Praying that all practicable measures be taken as soon as possible to facilitate the promotion and efficient maintenance of agricultural clubs for boys and girls. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 20th September, 1920.

No. 51. —Petition of I. H. Reid and 8 Others. Praying for reimbursement of the levy on butterfat. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the Butter Prices Inquiry Committee for consideration. 21st September, 1920.

No. 162. —Petition of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association of Canterbury (Limited) and 7 Others (and 8 similar Petitions as per Schedule attached). Praying for a reconsideration of the price of butter. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that these petitions be referred to the Butter Prices Inquiry Committee for consideration. 21st September, 1920. Schedule. No. 163. —George Kirkpatrick and 40 others. No. 167.—Lindsay and Co. and 15 others. No. 164.—Gelling Bros, and 7 others. No. 168.— T. C. Tyson. No. 165.—Roberts and Tullock and 17 others. No. 169.— H. W. Mockett and 64 others. No. 166. —Robert Johnson and 4 others. No. 184.— G. F. Hingston and 5 others.

Excise Tariff Bill. I am directed to report that in the opinion of this Committee the provisions of the Bill are a matter of policy, therefore the Committee has no recommendation to make. Ist October, 1920.

No. 237.—Petition of Donald Kerr, of Wellington. Praying for payment of salary from June, 1898, to October, 1902, and other relief; also for suitable employment in the Public Service. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 20th October, 1920.

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No. 102.—Petition of H, D. Acland and 107 Others of Christchurch. Praying that a meat-export license be granted to Armour and Co., of Australasia (Limited). I am directed to report that the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioners that a meat-export license be granted to Messrs. Armour and Co., Australasia (Limited), as in the opinion of the Committee they are a subsidiary company of Armour and Co. of the United States of America, where it has been shown that they, together with other companies, have carried out practices inimical to the interests of both the producer and the consumer. ■ 26th October, 1920.

Rabbit Nuisance Amendment Bill. The Agricultural and Pastoral Industries, Stock, and Commerce Committee, to which was referred the above Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with amendments. 29th October, 1920.

Seeds Bill. I am directed to report that, while approving of the provisions of the Bill, the Committee recommends that it be not proceeded with this session. 2nd November, 1920.

Special Report (re Chairman). I have the honour to report that the Agricultural and Pastoral Industries, Stock, and Commerce Committee desires to place on record its high appreciation of the capable and impartial manner in which the Chairman (Mr. Hunter) has presided over its deliberations during the session. 4th November, 1920. G. W. Forbes.

Special Report (re Clerk). The Agricultural and Pastoral Industries, Stock, and Commerce Committee desires to place on record its appreciation of the able manner in which the Clerk (Mr. H. Harrison) has carried out his work, as Clerk to the Committee during the session. 4th November, 1920.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Committee has held, during the session, eighteen meetings, with an average attendance of ten members at each meeting. The number of petitions referred to the Committee was thirteen, three of which have been reported to the House, and ten referred to another Committee. Three Bills have been referred to the Committee, all of which have been reported to the House; and an extensive inquiry has been held on the increased freight rates. 4th November, 1920.

Inquiry into proposed Statement by the New Zealand Overseas Shipowners Committee to Press Association in reference to the Increase in the Rate of Freight Charges. (Vide 1.-10 a, Appendices to Journals.) (Note. —Debate on presentation of this report was interrupted by 5.30 p.m. adjournment, 27th October, 1920.)

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