1.—13

III

The Committee then called upon Mr. J. B. McEwan, of Messrs. ,T. B. McEwan and Co. (Limited), to give evidence from the distributor's point of view. Witness submitted figures giving details of the increased cost of distribution of butter. Mr. Latham, of Kauwhata, gave evidence as to the cost of production of butterfat. On motion of Mr. McCombs, it was resolved to request the attendance of Mr. Tunniclifl'e, of Kauwhata, and Mr. Burnett, of Otautau (both of whom had submitted to the Agriculture Department statements showing the cost of production of butterfat). It was also resolved to request the attendance of producers who had submitted to that Department statements showing the cost of production of butterfat, numbered 15 and 17 in the Agriculture Department's tile (Ag. 11/251/100). The next meeting of the Committee was arranged for Thursday, the 23rd instant, at 10.30 a.m.

Friday, 24th September, 1920. The Committee, pursuant to notice, met at 10 a.m. Present: Mr. Atmore, Mr. J. 11. Hamilton, Mr. Hawken, Mr. Hockly, Mr. Kellett, Mr. McCombs, Mr. Nash (in the chair), Mr. Poland, Mr. Powdrell. In attendance : Mr. Singleton, of the Department of Agriculture. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following communications were read : — (I.) From the New Zealand Alliance of Labour, Wellington, dated 21st September, 1920, stating, in reply to an invitation to submit evidence to the Committee, that they considered the time was not yet ripe for the Alliance to take action on the matter. (2.) From the Secretary, Otago Labour Council, dated 20th September, 1920, stating that it would not be possible for a representative of that Council to appear before the Committee on the day named. (3.) From Mr. Frank Colbeck, Morrinsville, dated 19th September, 1920, submitting statements showing comparison of wages paid to miners, carpenters, and common labourers on the one hand, and to dairy-farmers on the other hand. Mr. Harkness, Secretary of the National Dairy Association, submitted, on behalf of Messrs. Motion and Morton, statements showing cost of production of butterfat. After discussion it, was resolved to request the attendance of Messrs. Motion and Morton so as to give them an opportunity of personally supporting the figures contained in their statements. Mr. Mackay Campbell, Secretary of the Trades and Labour Council, Wellington, gave evidence on behalf of the consumer. Mr. Worrall, representative of the Canterbury Trades antl Labour Council, gave evidence as from the consumer's standpoint. It was resolved that Mr. Thomas Parsons, of Eketahuna, and Mr. S. Knight, of Ongarue, be requested to give evidence before the Committee. Next meeting of the Committee was arranged for Wednesday, the 29th September, 1920.

Wednesday, 29th 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, Mr. McCombs, Mr. Nash (in the chair), Mr. Poland, Mr. Powdrell. In attendance : Mr. Singleton, of the Department of Agriculture. The minutes of the previous meeting were read antl confirmed A communication from Mr. M. Alpass, Konini, Pahiatua, in connection with the manufacture of butter in the Dominion, was read. Mr. H. D. Bennett, representing the retailers and master grocers' associations of the Dominion, then gave evidence. Mr. Usher, of Usher and Son, Nelson, also gave evidence on behalf of the retailers. Evidence in regard to the cost of production of butterfat was then given by the following dairy-farmers: Mr. Tunnicliffe, of Kauwhata; Mr. Peter Hansen, of Kauwhata; Mr. Samuel Knight, Ongarue; Mr. Thomas, of Rototuna; Mr. Blackmore, of Washing Downs, Hamilton; Mr. James Jamieson, of Horotiu; Mr. Thomas Parsons, of Eketahuna. Mr. A. W. Page, of Auckland, and Mr. Petric, manager of Smeetons Limited, Auckland, gave evidence on behalf of the retailers, such evidence being supplementary to that furnished by Mr. H. D. Bennett. Mr. Powdrell, M.P., at the desire of some members of the Committee, presented several balancesheets of dairy-farmers in the Dominion. It was resolved to hold the next meeting of the Committee after consideration of the printed evidence.