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of population—Urban and rural spending compared—Banking deposits and effect on level of prices— Volume of trade—Effect on price-level—Mr. Macdonald, "Is labour a commodity ? " Question discussed —New Zealand statistics deficient—Advisory Board suggested—Dr. Mcllraith's figures reliable—Rise in cost of living may be really a rise in the standard of comfort— Be " money " statistics—Reason for difference of food-prices, United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada—United Kingdom free-trade condition mainly responsible in her case—France's position due to large population on small holdings—Land-prices not contributed to prices of commodities—Effect of relative decrease of number of food-producers to number of food-consumers —Table of comparative prices in Now Zealand, England, Germany, France— Be rent: lowest rent enters into price of commodities produced—ln the city minimum rent enters into price of goods sold—Greater comparative rent may be spread over greater turnover —Fall in birth-rate indicates higherstandard of comfort—Beneficial effects of banking-operations—lncreased rents due to increased output of gold, to concentration of population, to increased demand for limited supply of land and to " monopoly " —Adjustment of wages to output of gold—Desirability of wealth being spread about—Marginal and differential rents discussed—Statement re rent and retail prices. C. Statistical. Fraser, M., Government Statistician, Wellington (8/7/12 ; p. 443) — Be methods of collecting New Zealand statistics—Legislation quoted—Statistics of office and its development —Statistics of other Department—Scope extending—Control of statistics—Collection and publication— Be data for Commission such as this— Re " Census of Production " —Difficulties in the way of collection — Re criticism of New Zealand statistics—English Government used New Zealand figures— Re Official Year-book figures re wages and prices. Rowley, F. W. T., Chief Clerk, Labour Department, Wellington (8/7/12 ; p. 431)— Tables showing number of persons employed in manufacturing industries in New Zealand to be completed shortly—Sample return produced— Be movements of population—Statistics re effect of labour legislation —Wages and hours fixed by Arbitration Court awards—Factory statement handed in—Tables showing expenditure on public buildings and savings-bank deposits handed in. SECTION VIII.—MISCELLANEOUS. Advertising Expenses ; Agricultural-implement Manufacturing ; Drink Traffic ; Freights ; Leather Goods ; Medical Attendance, etc. ; Single Tax ; Tobacco. A. Advertising Expenses : Representatives of Press. B. Agricultural-implement Manufacturing : Manufacturers. C. Drink Traffic : Temperance advocates. D. Freights : Railway Department; New Zealand Shipping Company ; carrier ; Union Steamship Company. E. Leather Goods : Wholesale and retail saddler. F. Medical Attendance : Doctor of medicine ; dentist. G. Single Tax : Lecturer. H. Tobacco : Merchant; retailer. A. Advertising Expenses. Nelson, G. 8., Advertising Department, Christchurch Press, Christchurch (18/6/12 ; p. 217) — Rates for advertising—Prices the same as Lyttelton Times —lncreased prices charged as circulation grows— Cost of living increased generally. Pavitt, P. S., Advertising Clerk, Lyttelton Times Company, Christchurch (18/6/12 ; p. 216) — Advertising rates —Rates uniform between two daily papers—No increase in fifteen years excepting in contract rates—Line advertisements Is. 6d. per line—Auctioneers receive 25 per cent, on advertisements given in. B. Agricultural Implements. Booth, G. T., Iron-merchant, Christchurch (18/6/12 ; p. 209)— Wages since 1906 show average advance of 14 per cent.—Competition among manufacturers free and open— No protective tariff—3o per cent, protection asked for—Farmers' implements increased 10 to 15 per cent. —Cost of materials used 25 per cent, greater than twenty years ago—Class and quality of goods manufactured specially suit New Zealand conditions—Freight charges equal 20 per cent, on cost imported article—Steel parts imported— Be influence of labour legislation on prices—Contributing cause only— Wages would have been as high to-day without legislation. Kier, James, Managing Director, P. and D. Duncan (Limited), Christchurch (18/6/12 ; p. 211) — Cost of agricultural implements slightly increased in recent years—No combine—Prices of standard lines uniform with all manufacturers—List showing increased cost of material used—Wages increased 50 percent, since 1898 —New Zealand and Australian prices compared— Be effect of labour legislation— Apprentices hard to secure except for engineering department. C. Drink Traffic. Comrie, Rev. W. J.,-Chairman, New Zealand Alliance, Wellington (11/7/12 ; p. 472) — Be inefficiency of persons caused through drink—Asylum and gaol inmates—Rotoroa Island—Money spent on drink unproductive—Liquor traffic one of serious causes high cost of living—Effect of prohibition on rent. Dawson, Rev. J., General Secretary, New Zealand Alliance, Wellington (11/7/12 ; p. 471) — Drink bill in 1911 in detail—Customs returns re liquor imported, &c.— Be convictions for drunkenness—Cost of prisons—Salvation Army refuges for drunkards in Hauraki Gulf. D. Freights. McVilly, R. W., Chief Clerk, New Zealand Railways, Wellington (5/7/12 ; p. 415)— Be Railway freights on food-supplies, 50 to 400 miles, 1908 and 1912 rates compared—Freight charges on coal. Auckland—Taupiri—Differential systems of freight—Reasons for using Newcastle coal. Callender, George, Secretary, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch (13/6/12 ; p. 136) — Be increased charges for freights from and to London—Outward and inward freights raised—Labour charges mainly responsible—Effect of frozen-meat trade—Freights are arranged with other companies—All charges alike—Freights quoted on frozen meat and butter—Continental classification of goods—World's tonnage in short supply.

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