H.—44a

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. Monday, 21st February, 1927. The first meeting of members of the Committee was held on Monday, the 21st February, in No. 21 Committee Room, Parliamentary Buildings. The Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Industries and Commerce, met the Committee and briefly explained the reasons why the Committee had been set up. As far as the appointment of Chairman was concerned he had no recommendation to make, but left the appointment entirely in the hands of the Committee. The Committee then proceeded to elect a Chairman. It was unanimously resolved that Mr. J. W. Collins be appointed Chairman. The authority conferred by the Act on the Minister to bring the Committee into being was read. Letters were received from the Star Stores, Ltd., Christchurc.h, intimating that they would appear before the Commission to give evidence ; and also a letter from Messrs. Young, White, and Courtney, solicitors, intimating that they would appear on behalf of the P.A.T.A. The Secretary was instructed to write to Professor A. H. Tocker, of Canterbury College, requesting him to submit a report of what would be the economic result of the operations of the P.A.T.A. ; also inviting him to appear before the Committee at an early date. The Committee rose at 12.30 p.m. The Committee resumed its sittings at 2.30 p.m. The question of procedure was discussed with counsel representing witnesses who desired to give evidence, and at the suggestion of the Committee Mr. M. Myers, K.C., agreed to open the case on behalf of the P.A.T.A. The provisions of the Act prevented the proceedings being open to the public. The meeting then adjourned until Tuesday, at 10.30 a.m., when the taking of evidence was commenced. Tuesday, 22nd February, 1927. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m. All members of the Committee were present. The following witnesses were examined on oath : Emil William Ernest De Fenq, organizer of the P.A.T.A. ; W. T. Charter, director of the English Wholesale Societies, Ltd. Wednesday, 23rd February, 1927. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m. All members of the Committee were present. The following witnesses were examined on oath : Emil William Ernest De Fenq ; John Pearson Page, New Zealand representative for Potter Birks, Ltd. ; Albert George Carey, grocer, Oamaru. Thursday, 24th February, 1927. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m. All members of the Committee were present. The following witnesses were examined on oath : E. S. Pilcher, New Zealand representative of the Palmolive Co. ; W. S. Larkin, manager of Sharland and Co., Ltd. ; J. Stark, manager of Kempthorne, Prosser, and Co., Ltd., Dunedin ; J. A. Lorrie, grocer, Timaru. Friday, 25th February, 1927. The Committee met at 10.15 a.m. All members of the Committee were present. It was resolved that (1) the evidence be printed as revised ; (2) the whole of the evidence be revised by Mr. Montgomery, and that he submit to the Committee proposed excisions of a confidential nature. The following witnesses were examined on oath : Edward Smith, chemist, Auckland ; Frederick Robert Marriott, New Zealand manager, Bourjois et Cie, France; James C. Burberry, chemist, Hataitai; H. Hook, manager for 0. Hurney, grocer, Cuba Street, Wellington ; J. H. Barker, secretary New Zealand Master Grocers' Federation, Auckland. The meeting adjourned at 4.30 p.m. until Monday, the 28th instant, at 10.30 a.m. Monday, 28th February, 1927. The Committee met at 10.15 a.m. All members were present. The following witnesses were examined on oath : H. J. Hay, commercial traveller ; A. F. Crisp, grocer, Wellington ; A. W. Press, manager, Thompson Bros., Ltd., merchants, Wellington ; E. Salmon, Messrs. Salmon and Spraggon, manufacturers' representatives, Wellington ; J. Mcllraith, grocer, Wellington ; J. Roberts, secretary, New Zealand Alliance of Labour ; W. Nash, secretary, New Zealand Labour Party. The meeting adjourned at 4.30 p.m.

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