I.—lB

II

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. Wednesday, 15th September, 1920. Tun Committee, pursuant to notice, met at 10.15 a.m. Present: Mr. Atmore, Mr. Hawken, Mr. Kellett, Eight Hon. Mr. Massey, Mr. McCombs, Mr. Nash, Mr. Poland, Mr. Powdrell. The order of reference having been read by the Clerk, it resolved, on the motion of the Right Hon. Mr. M'assey, seconded by Mr. Hockly, That Mr. Nash be Chairman of the Committee. The Chairman, in returning thanks for the honour conferred on him, emphasized the importance of the Committee that had been set up. It was resolved, firstly, to acquaint the Agriculture Department that the Committee had been set up, with a view to official evidence being brought before the Committee; and, secondly, to communicate with the National Dairy Association and to invite the representatives of that associaI ion to give evidence. Resolved, That the next meeting of the Committee be held on Friday, the 17th September, 1920, at 10 o'clock. The meeting then adjourned.

Friday, 17th September, 1920 The Committee, pursuant to notice, met at 10 a.m. Present: Mr. Atmore, Mr. J. R. Hamilton, Mr. Hawken, Mr. Hockly, Mr. Kellett, Right Hon. Mr. Massey, Mr. McCombs, Mr. McLcod, Mr. Nash (in the chair), Mr. Poland, Mr. Powdrell. In attendance : Dr. Reakes and Messrs. Stone and Singleton, of the Department of Agriculture. Letters were read from Mr. Neil Campbell, of Kauwhata, and Hugh C. Aickin, lion, secretary of the Auckland Butter Merchants' Association. It was decided to permit the Press to attend Committee meetings except during the periods of deliberation. It was resolved that evidence be taken in the following order: (1) Department's evidence, (2) producers' evidence, (3) consumers' evidence, (4) factories evidence, (5) distributors' evidence, (6) retailers' evidence. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Poland, That the Claxo Compaii}' be asked to submit evidence relative to the cost of production. Mr. Stone, Accountant of the Agriculture Department, submitted evidence showing the cost of production of butterfat. Basing (lie figures on twenty-four cases submitted to the Department, it was shown, that the average gross cost per pound butterfat was 2s. 5d., the average gross revenue per pound 2s. 2£d., leaving an average net loss of 2|d. The twenty-four cases covered the districts of Helensville, Waikato, Taranaki, Palmerston North, Canterbury', and Otautau. Mr. Singleton, of the Dairy Division, Department of Agriculture, then submitted figures showing the estimated production and consumption of butter in the Dominion. Evidence was then submitted by Mr. D. K. Haberiield, President of the Master Grocers' Association, Christchurch, representing the retailers of that city. It was resolved to hold further meetings of the Committee on Tuesday, the 21st, and Friday, the 24th September, 1920. at 10 o'clock.

Tuesday, 21st September, 1920. The Committee, pursuant to notice, met at 10 a.m. Present: Mr. J. R. Hamilton, Mr. Hawken, Mr. Hockly, Mr. McCombs, Mr. McLeod, Mr. Nash (in the chair), Mr. Powdrell. In attendance : Mr. Singleton, of the Department of Agriculture. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A communication was read, dated the 9th instant, from the New Zealand National Council of Women, Wellington Branch, relative to the price of butter. The evidence of Miss Coad, President of the New Zealand National Council of Women, was then taken, with a view to ascertaining the consumer's point of view. Councillor Norwood, Chairman of the Wellington Milk-supply Committee, gave evidence regarding the price of milk and the probable effect of an increase in the price of butter on the price of milk.