17

I.—lo,

147 Are they used in manufactures in the colony —in the preparation of preservesI?—Not to any appreciable extent. There has been no application made for remission. 14s. Do you think illicit distillation is going on ? —I am sure it is. It has increased since the duty has been raised. ■ < 149. Have you any experience in the manufacture of sorghum-sugar?—No. 150. Then you cannot speak as to the suitability of New Zealand for producing sugar from sorghum cane ? —No. 151. I wish to ask you about glucose? —That is used for brewing, and large quantities are introduced now 152. Is it absolutely necessary to use this for brewing ? —Brewers prefer it. It produces better results. Chemically it is grape-sugar. 153. Have you seen the report of .Professor Nessler's experiment as to the poisonous character of glucose-sugar ? —No. 154. Would it not be better in the interests of local industry, and the health of the people, that brewers should be constrained to use good sound malt? —I think it would be injudicious for the Government to attempt to place any constraint on the article used, except on the ground of health. 155. Well, if it was found that glucose was worse than malt, would not it be better to increase the duty on the former? —I do not think so. It is largely used at Home. I would recommend no alteration that would constrain them to use a certain article. 156. If the duty were raised to Id., would it be more difficult to collect than -|d. ?—No ; but I should not put it upon glucose alone. 157 With regard to varnish, it has been pointed out that the duty upon the article imported into the colony is only 6d. per gallon, whereas in New South Wales and Victoria 2s. per gallon is charged; and it has been represented that our kauri gum is sent there, manufactured into varnish, and then sent to Auckland ? —lt may be so; lam not aware of it. 158. And at the same time, our varnish sent to those places has to pay 2s. per gallon ? —I see no objection from a revenue point of view to put on a little more duty ; but I think myself the duty is a fair one. 159. The duty upon whiting and chalk is nearly 50 per cent, upon the value. Is not that very heavy ? —Yes, it is. 160. Can it be produced in the colony ?—I understand there is some chalk found in Canterbury now There has never been any representation made upon the subject. 161. Does it not interfere with the manufacture of putty? —I do not think they make much putty in the colony Whiting is most largely used for making soda-water. 162. Would you recommend the remission of duty upon this ?—lt is simply a question of revenue. 163. There is a small duty imposed upon sulphur at the present time. Would you be disposed to recommend a remission upon that ? It is proposed to establish chemical works, and the imposition of duty upon sulphur is, perhaps, taxing raw material ?—The duty is a matter of small moment. A large quantity was imported for sheep-wash. There would be no objection to remitting the duty There is a prospect of it being manufactured now by a company at White Island. 164. Mr. Swanson has shown me a letter from Mr. Whitson, the brewer, in which he suggests that, instead of the present system of duty-stamps, the English plan of gauging should be adopted, as being less inconvenient to brewers, and less likely to lead to smuggling?—The circumstances of the two countries are entirely different, and I do not think it would be desirable to adopt that plan here.

Friday, 26th August, 1881. Mr. W Swanson, M.H.R., examined. 165. The Chairman.} Have you any statement to make in reference to the industries carried on in Auckland? —Yes. I was before this Committee about a month ago, and I then tendered all the evidence I was able to give on certain subjects. Ido not know that I can give any fresh information on those matters now When I first came before the Committee I was instructed by the people who asked me to speak for them here to try, if possible, to get a duty put on imported twine, because, since the duty has been taken off, it does not pay to make it. As there is no duty on it now, it does not pay people to go in for making it in the colony I was also asked to try to get a protective duty put upon ink, and blue, and some other things. Varnish could be made in the colony in any quantity, and of the best kind, from kauri gum. I also brought letters to the Committee on the previous occasion, referring to the manufacture of perfumery, and showing that, if the manufacture was allowed to be carried on under such conditions as would permit the use of alcohol free (at the same time protecting the revenue), much money would be saved and many hands employed. It is suggested that, when the spirit has been (under the inspection of revenue officers) made useless for other purposes, the product could be finished for sale in the manufacturers' own premises. The spirit could, before it passed from under Government control, be put in a condition by which it would be absolutely impossible for it to be used for other purposes, and thereby the interests of the revenue would be fully protected. lam assured that there are a great many dyes and scents to be obtained from the forests of New Zealand, and there are men of means who are willing to go into the matter if sufficient encouragement is given to them. A good many Frenchmen and Italians have told me that there are various industries which could be carried on in New Zealand if they were a little encouraged. Amongst other things, they name tobacco, and sugar from beet or sorghum. I should like to see hickory, elm, and ash introduced into the south from America. I mention the south because I believe the colder southern districts would be better adapted for these trees than our warmer northern climate. Those timbers would be very useful for shipbuilding purposes in the colony No indigenous New Zealand wood is equal to ash for oars. Hickory is an indispensable timber in many of the large American woodware manufactures. Should also like to 3—l. 10.