9

1.—12 a

25. Of course, it would be always regulated by the market price ? —Yes. 26. Mr. McLachlan.) Does the vendor give a warranty along with each parcel sold ? —He would give a certificate to the purchaser stating the percentages and the manurial constituents, and that should be a warranty. 27. With each parcel ?—Yes. 28. Hon. the Chairman.] I understand that in England there are better facilities for having manures analysed by the various counties and Government Departments ?—I think not. We have our Public Analyst here, and, I think, considering the population, we are in as good a position here for getting manures analysed as they are in the Old Country. 29. The Department only could undertake the analysis of all this ?—lt is a matter of whether the Department would take it up. At present they do the work for settlers and bond fide farmers, I understand. 30. Hon. Mr. Pitt.] If the Department cannot take it up, how is the purchaser to have his manure analysed ? —I believe that this Bill provides for the appointment of Analysts. I may say that I do not think that the fees paid at Home by the buyers of manure cover the cost of the analysis. I think the Analyst has certain salaries from the local authorities. 31. Hon. the Chairman.] With regard to the unit-values, you think that the manufacturer should state the unit-value on every parcel of manure ? —1 think so. 32. Would he be able to fix any unit-value he thought fit ?—Yes. Of course, that would be a matter between buyer and seller. If a would-be purchaser thought that one manufacturer was quoting him too much he could go to another and compare the prices. 33. If the invoice that he supplied were a warranty he would be very careful not to state the unit-value too high, I should think ?—Yes, that is so. Most large manufacturers keep a resident chemist, and they are prepared to guarantee their manures within one-tenth of the percentage. 34. Mr. Bollard.] The unit-value is regulated by a standard ?—The unit-value is regulated by the market price of the manurial constituent. 35. What I mean is this: there are certain constituent parts which are valued at a unit-value by a regular standard ; a manufacturer cannot put on what price he likes ?—lt is regulated by the market value. For instance, take nitrogen soda, which contains about 19 per cent, of nitrogen; it is sometimes of very different values, and, of course, the unit-value of the nitrogen contained in it fluctuates according to the value of the stuff. 36. Hon. the Chairman.] Do you wish to make any other statement to the Committee ?— There is one little matter that I would like to mention. It has been stated that citric soluble phosphoric acid —that is, the diphosphate of lime—should be allowed for, as it is a compound which is not of the value of the soluble phosphate, and it is rather more valuable than the insoluble ; but as the methods of estimating this at the present time vary, and it depends a great deal upon the method that the individual chemist adopts, it is causing a tremendous amount of friction in the working of the laws in America, and I think it would be best left out. 37. Would it not vary with the age of the manure ? —Oh, yes. The cheaper the phosphate used the quicker it reverts. A great many manufacturers use a common phosphate, which reverts very quickly. Well, of course, they want to sell it and get it off their hands as quickly as possible.

APPENDIX.

Otago Employers' Association, Sir,— Exchange Buildings, Water Street, Dunedin, 9th September, 1903. I am requested by several of our members who are interested in the selling or manufacturing of manures to forward to the Committee the enclosed suggestions in regard to the Fertilisers Bill now before the House, and to ask that the proposed amendments be considered by the Committee. The proposals in no way affect the principle of the Bill or lessen its value as a protection to the purchaser, but are simply intended to provide for a reasonable' measure of protection being extended to vendors. The notes and comments accompanying the suggestions will sufficiently explain their purpose and scope. Trusting that the Committee will give the proposals every consideration, I have, &c, James N. E. Gareow, Secretary. The Hon. the Chairman, Joint Agricultural, Pastoral, and Stock Committee, Wellington.

Fertilisers Bill. Section 3, subsection (1), (a). Add the following words : "if such manure is made in New Zealand, and if imported the name and place of business of the vendor." See section 3, subsection (1) of the old Act. In many cases where manures are manufactured in foreign countries it is exceedingly difficult to give the name of the actual manufacturer. Section 3, subsection (1), (b). Delete this subsection. Section 3, subsection (1), (c). Objection is taken to publishing further description than its analysis, as doing so would be giving away trade secrets and destroying the value of special knowledge possessed by individual firms. 2—l. 12a.