I—lo.

was thereby enabled to do the work at a cheaper rate than it could possibly be done in New Zealand ; and then, after doing the work which ought to have been done in this colony, the colony admits the work free of all impost. That is only one of many similar instances which might be mentioned. The machinery required for freezing purposes is likewise admitted into NewZealand free of charge ; and having, moreover, to pay much higher rates for our labour, we find it quite impossible to compete with the outside manufacturer. Indeed, the only protection or chance we get to compete with the outside market arises from the isolated position we occupy in New Zealand. The distance we are situated at from other countries where these things can be manufactured enables us at times to get an order, but that is about the only protection we have got. When the purchaser can afford to wait long enough for the fulfilment of his orders the chances are he goes straight away to the foreign market. I have no wish to discourage Mr. Smith in his efforts to develop the Taranaki ironsand ; but of this I feel quite confident: It will be a very long while before he is able to produce the steel plates absolutely necessary for the manufacture of boilers. There are only about seven or eight makers of that class of material in England where work is equal to the inspection required in the manufacture of boilers. As to.the propriety of Government granting bonuses for the iron trade, I do not agree with the views stated by Mr. Luke. 25. Mr. Smith.] Are you aware the New Plymouth iron material has been tested by Messrs. Cranwell, of England, and in their report they say that it discloses the very best material for the manufacture of iron and steel work ?—I am not aware of that. 26. Are you aware that the iron produced from the Taranaki sand shows a pressure of fifty-five tons to the square inch ?—No ; it may turn out better than I apprehend.

GALVANISED- AND COBBUGATED-IBON INDUSTRY. Wednesday, 17th August, 1892. Mr. Thomas Ballingee examined. 1. The Chairman.] What is your business ?- —Plumber and metal manufacturer. 2. You propose giving evidence with regard to the iron industry?—l have been called for that purpose. 3. The principal object of the inquiry of the Committee, as to the iron industry, is in regard to a proposal that has been made to the Committee to put a tax upon bar, bolt, plate-iron, pig-iron, and raw material generally, in order to encourage the establishment of manufactories of iron from iron-sand and from haematite in the colony. Therefore the Committee would thank you for anything you have to say as to how it would affect your business. There is also a proposal from some persons engaged in the iron industry to take the duty off certain articles that are now paying duty, such as bolts, nuts, &c. Will you tell us first of all what particular work you clo in iron ?—I started to galvanise some two or tln.ee years ago. I imported the black sheet. My experience has been a very sad one. I lost money over it, and 1 got sick and tired of the whole thing. I certainly should not have started it if it had not been for the duty on what I may call the raw material, that is the plain galvanised sheets. It used to be free ; that was our raw material, we used to make it up into shapes. 4. Your business is not to galvanise the iron ?—I started to galvanise the iron because of the duty that was put on the sheets. 5. lion. Sir J. Hall.] You started it in 1888,1 believe ? —Yes, about that year [after referring to letter]. I stated I wrote to the Colonial Treasurer on the 11th May, 1887, on the subject of galvanising. 6. The Chairman.'] Would you now tell us your opinion as to the position of the trade, and how it would be affected by any of these proposals that I have named to you, or how you would be affected yourself? —It would simply make a monopoly. There is no question about that. 7. Kindly explain?— Why it would simply put all the iron trade through the Onehunga Ironworks. That is what I gather is the idea. There would be no competition. I have imported black sheet from the Onehunga Ironworks, and I found it cost from 21 and per cent, more than what I can land it from Home. 8. Hon. Sir J. Hall.] At present there is no duty ?—No. There is real competition at Home. It is the wages which are against all local industries in this colony, and the short hours that we work ; we only work forty-six hours a week. They work fifty-four hours at Home, I believe. Coal is cheaper, and also the acid that is used. If the labour was cheaper out here the coal would be cheaper. The high price of materials is caused by the extra cost of the labour. 9. Mr. E. M. Smith.] Are you aware there is likely to be one or two other companies manufacturing the same class of goods ; if so, it could not possibly give the Onehunga factory a monopoly?— No; lam not aware of anything of the kind. I should not think it would pay any other company to start; that is my experience. 10. Why do you think it would not pay any company if it started under better conditions ?— The question is what would be better conditions ? 11. The Chairman.] You are not aware what are the better conditions?— No. 12. Having pointed out to the Committee the difference between the hours of labour and the price of labour in the Old Country and this country, do you not consider that a reason why a moderate protection tariff should be put on? —A moderate protection tariff is no use. 13. Well, a protection tariff?—lt is the greatest mistake possible to have a moderate protection tariff. If there is to be protection, let us have it pure and simple; it must be prohibitive. 14. What amount of duty do you think would be sufficient ? What do you call an effective duty?—lt is not a question of the amount of duty. There is a prejudice against local industries ; it is a very great prejudice. lam speaking from bitter experience. 15. You say a moderate protective tariff is of no use?— Yes.

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