H.—lB

CXVII

— Re flour duty—-Abolition would mean wiping out industry— Re wages harvesting-work—Thirty mills associated approximately and ten outside the association—Association output 3,500 tons monthly— outside mills about same—lf mills all associated price would increase £1 per ton— Be Australian plants, and freights to New Zealand—Same charge practically from Australia to New Zealand as between Lyttelton and Auckland, namely 9s. per ton. Allen, R., Flour-miller, Christchurch (13/6/12 ; p. 138)— Member of Flourmillers' Association—Competition keen at present— Be Australian and New Zealand flour —Former makes more bread—Capacity of New Zealand mills double requirements—Output quoted of all mills—Present profits 2| per cent, on turnover—Objects of association to prevent overlapping and avoid bad debts, &c.— Re Australian flour and dumping— Re removal of duty—Opposes this for reasons given. E. Fruit. Tonar, J. 8., Manager, Waitemata Fruit-growers Co-operative Society, Auckland. (24/6/12; p. 285) — Re objects of association—Sells for anybody—Bidding free and open—Some growers grade fruit badly— Delivery charges very high—Vegetable-market supplied by Chinese—Society is encouraging better system of packing and grading— Re export of fruit—Shipment to South America realized poor price—Fruit should be sold in lighter weights, i.e., smaller quantities—Good deal of fruit sold privately—Members of association number 300. Tooman, A., Fruit-auctioneer, Auckland (27/6/12 ; p. 331) — Fruit-packing greatly improved—ln auctioneers and retail prices there is an average difference of 20 per cent. ■ —Prices very low this year —First-class fruit in short supply— Re Tasmanian apples—Most retail sales are sixpenny-worth—Charges on apples exported. Mitchell, J., Fruit-auctioneer, Wellington (3/7/12 ; p. 384) — No combination among fruit-merchants—Prices for apples at auction quoted 19s. 7d. and 19s. lid.—Low prices due to glut or condition of fruit—Cold storage advocated. Townsend, F., Fruit-auctioneer, Wellington (8/7/12; p. 440) — Re advising growers as to state of market—Object of Auctioneers' Association—Competition existing— Re imported fruit and reason for fixing reserved prices—Distinct loss experienced on this business— Re exposing fruit auctioned—No compulsion to buy at auction—Price secured for vegetables—Refunds for inferior fruit—Mr. Simpson's evidence challenged—Bidding for fruit open to any one—lmported fruit not necessary if trade better organized—Commission charged 7-1 per cent, on fruit, &c, sold—Apples and retail prices—-Average profit of retailers about 25 per cent.—All soft fruits very cheap in season. Evans, W. M., Fruiterer, Auckland (27/6/12 ; p. 324)— Re retail trade—Difference of prices between grower and retailer 25 to 100 per cent.—Regulation should fix size of cases—Practice of " topping " prevalent—Rates and taxes increase, also rent—7s per cent, localgrown fruit should not be marketed—flobart apples preferred. Kee, Sing, Fruiterer, Wellington (10/7/12 ; p. 464)— No ring among Chinese—Competition ruling—-Apple-prices quoted. Jones, W. W., Secretary Fruiterers' Association, Wellington (3/7/12 ; p. 385) — No ring amongst buyers and retailers of fruit—Landlord gets all the profit—Hours very long—Very few paying businesses—Object' of Retailers' Association—Retail prices of fruit—Advocates municipal market —" Topping " prevalent. Simpson, H. J., Fruiterer, Wellington (4/7/12 ; p. 406)— Retail prices of apples—Market free and open—Auctioneer fixes prices of imported fruit—Trade not flourishing with retailers—Dishonest packing of fruit and vegetables. Blakeway, F., Fruiterer, Christchurch (17/6/12 ; p. 180) — Fruit-prices vary little—All fruit bought at auction—Bidding free and open— Re hawkers and Chinese competition—Unfair and harmful— Re apples and plums—Retail prices, &c. Peaver, F., Fruiterer, Christchurch (17/6/12 ; p. 191)— Fruit mainly cheaper and present prices reasonable—Retail prices quoted—Growers do not always get fair prices—Chief increase costs in business are wages, rent, and rates—Hawkers not affected business. Munro, C. T., Fruiterer, Dunedin (7/6/12 ; p. 38)— No combine re fruit-selling— Re methods of sale through auction—Retail prices of apples—Auction prices fixed on imported goods—Cost of distribution 25 per cent, to retailer. Boucher, W. A., Assistant Director Orchards, &c, Agriculture Department, Wellington (2/7/12 ; p. 362)— Fruit industry" flourishing—Number of trees planted—Fruit too dear to consumer—Distribution-expenses too high—Wholesale and retail prices given—-Suggestion to send fruit through post—Proposal was under-way—Cool-storage will also cheapen fruit and prolong season—Growers not sufficiently kept in touch with the market-conditions—Californian methods advocated and described—Whole industry wants organizing better— Re operations of Orchard and Garden Pests Act —Apples imported worth £56,000 — Export of apples in experimental stage—Care in selection of fruit essential to success. Myers, J. S., Market-gardener, Christchurch (14/6/12 ; p. 153) — Land-values increased 75 per cent., labour 50 per cent.—Auction prices secured for cabbages Bd. to 13d. per dozen—ln one instance 2s. 2d. for 10 dozen—Returns for peas, potatoes, apples, &c. —Advocates opening up public market—Distribution-charges at present simply waste— Re milk supply—Wholesale and retail prices—-Municipal management required— Re coupon system grocery trade, prize values exaggerated. F. Meat. Abraham, E,. S., Stock-auctioneer, Palmerston North (10/7/12 ; p. 464) — Re F. T. Moore's statements—Auctioneers and meat companies not in combination—Member of Retail Association, Palmerston North—Prices fixed by agrreement—All retailers under promissory note not to sell —Cold-storage steadies prices. Millward, W. H., Chairman, Directors Gear Meat Company, Wellington (9/7/12 ; p. 453) — Retail prices of meat 1890 and 1912—Cost of distribution analysed—Charges equal almost Id. per pound— Returns for fore and hind quarter of beef and mutton—Abattoir charges—Local prices fair.