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REPORTS. Special Report. Resolved, That this Committee desires to place on record its higli appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the Committee by its late Chairman, Mr. A. Harris, who has acted in that capacity with distinction since the inception of the Committee in 1923. It is further resolved that this resolution be conveyed to Mr. Harris, recorded in the minutes, and reported to the House. 4th October, 1927. W. J. Girling, Chairman.

No. 287/26. —Petition of P. Naughton, of Wellington, and 1,489 Others (and 8 similar Petitions, as per Schedule attached). Pp.aying for amendment of the Board of Trade Act, 1919" against monopolies and restraint of tradeI am directed to report that this Committee is unable to recommend that legislation be passed to prevent the fixation of prices without any regard to whether such prices are reasonable or otherwise, but it recommends that careful supervision be exercised by the Department of Industries and Commerce with a view to preventing the possibility of exploitation by individual manufacturers or merchants. 20th October, 1927. Schedule. No. 112.— G. D. J. Hughes and 1,086 others. No. 274. —H. F. Thornalley and 137 others. No. 250.— E. A. Allaway and 243 others. No. 275.— J. Peacock and 141 others. No. 272. —B. Sutherland and 803 others. No. 276.—L. C. Williamson and 109 others. No. 273. —E. Bowers and 145 others. No. 277. —H. B. Boyd and 81 others.

Paper H.-44a, Proprietary Articles Trade Association. I am directed to report that the Committee concurs in the recommendation of the Committee of Inquiry into the proposed operations of the Proprietary Articles Trade Association, and recommends to the Government that, if and when necessary, regulations be made to prevent the Proprietary Articles Trade Association, or any similar combination, from operating in New Zealand. 20th October, 1927.

No. 191. —Petition of May Foy, of Wanganui, and 19 Others (and 29 similar Petitions, as per Schedule attached). Praying that the importation of low-priced shoddy material and clothing may be prohibited, and a slight increase in duty be put on certain better materials. I am directed to report that, in view of the recent revision of the tariff, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 9th November, 1927. Schedule. No. 192. —M. Lapham and 19 others. No. 207. —J. I). Lloyd and 55 others. No. 193, —T. Proudfoot and 19 others. No. 208. —Nellie Allen and 58 others. No. 194. —J- Hill and 19 others. No. 209.— W. A. Blair and 58 others. No. 195. —N. Robinson and 58 others. No. 210.—5. McCracken and 65 others. No. 196. —Ada Vaughan and 58 others. No. 211.—Daisy Atkinson and 50 others. No. 197.—Margaret A. Boocoek and 58 others. No. 212. —A. Mitchell and 58 others. No. 198.—M. Brown and 58 others. No. 213. —Margaret Ritchie and 58 others. No. 199. —Alice Parish and 50 others. No. 214.—Florence Buckle and 58 others. No. 200. —J. B. Kosovich and 48 others. No. 215. —N. Ryan and 25 others. No. 201. —F. S. Boyes and 50 others. No. 216. —S. S. Scott and 58 others. No. 202.—Edith Garrett and 58 others. No. 217.—Ethel Ward and 28 others. No. 203.— E. H. Bond and 58 others. No. 218.— F. E. Briggs and 44 others. No. 204. —W. Simpson and 54 others. No. 219.— E. Skelsey and 34 others. No. 205. —M. Elwarth and 58 others. No. 220.—6. Dennis and 53 others. No. 206. —E. Phillips and 9 others.

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