H.—'2B

The production of maize in New Zealand is carried on more particularly in the Bay of Plenty and Poverty Bay districts, and the product is sold for consumption mainly in the northern part of the North Island. Figures showing the acreage sown, the total yield, and the importations into New Zealand in each of the years ended 31st March, 1919 to 1927, are as under:—

These figures show that importations are tending to increase, and that, with the exception of the past year, production has shown no appreciable upward movement. The Commission has given close consideration to local costs of production and transportation, and has had under review the landed costs and selling-prices of imported maize. From the facts in this matter we are of the opinion that the duty is at present higher than is necessary, and we have accordingly to recommend that it be reduced to Is. per cental. PIG IRON. The manufacture of pig iron in New Zealand is an industry of recent establishment. The Onakaka Iron and Steel Co., Ltd., has its works in the Nelson Province, and is manufacturing from local ores. The evidence shows that the quality of the pig iron now produced by the company is, in general, giving satisfaction to users. The production of pig iron at Onakaka has been as follows : — Tons. Year ended 31st October, 1922 .. .. .. .. .. 64 1923 Nil. 1924 .. .. .. .. .. 849 1925 Nil. 1926 .. .. .. .. .. 3,270 Nine months to 31st July, 1927 .. .. .. .. .. 4,106 The imports of pig iron during recent years have been as under : —

An investigation of prices shows that for some years after the establishment of the local industry in 1922 prices were declining, until in August, 1925, local pig iron was selling at approximately £6 2s. 6d. per ton c.i.f. main ports, or nearly £2 per ton less than in 1922. The figures of imports show that to an increasing extent the competition is coming from Indian iron, which is stated to be of somewhat the same quality as the local product. The two irons are commonly used for similar purposes.

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New Zealand Production. Year ended 31st March, Szla/and. Acreage sown. Yield. Bushels. Bushels. 1919 .. .. .. .. 9,792 413,595 95,182 1920 .. .. .. .. 9,064 405,775 22,014 1921 .. .. .. .. 11,514 500,845 89,318 1922 .. .. .. .. 10,522 488,452 68,530 1923 .. .. .. .. 9,732 505,776 16,752 1924 .. .. .. .. 8,208 405,855 35,562 1925 .. .. .. .. 8,621 426,875 123,032 1926 .. .. .. .. 8,508 423,700 132,153 1927 .. .. .. .. 10,288* 491,122* 148,066 * Interim figures only.

Country of Origin. Year ended 31st December, United Other „ . Kingdom. ' Countries. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. 1922 .. .. .. 2,334 851 1,113 4,298 1923 .. .. .. 5,081 2,942 789 8,812 1924 .. .. .. 3,609 4,446 458 8,513 1925 .. .. .. 4,409 2,573 231 7,213 1926 .. .. .. 2,257 2,714 45 5,016 Six months of 1927 .. .. 585 1,298 5 1,888