J. W. COLLINS.]

19

L—l 7.

Evidence was given before the Cost-of-living Commission in 1912 which went to show that the profits to the millers were 7s. 6d. a ton. To-day, I take it, they are very much greater than that ?— 1 am afraid you will have to ask the millers. Could you not give us, as some guide, some information regarding the millers—could we get the added value from year to year from 1912 ?—I do not think the statistics are complete for every year, but they are as complete as we could get them. What subsidy would be necessary if the subsidy were given equivalent to the present protection for flour-production only from New Zealand wheat ? Would you have that worked out ?—Dr. Craig, I think, said £2 19s. was the average duty paid on imported flour, and you ask me what amount of subsidy would be necessary in lieu of protection by way of duty : would it not be approximately £3 a ton ? Is that not the reply to the question ? Yes ; but 1 want it in gross figures.—On the needs in flour, about 135,000 tons. That would mean that about £400,000 in subsidy would be required. The Chairman.] That will be all to-day, Mr. Collins. We will get you to come along again. The figures you have given seem to be very complete, and will be very helpful to us.

Wednesday, 27th August, 1929. Mr. Samuel Andrew Ferguson examined. (No. 6.) The Chairman.] What is your full name, Mr. Ferguson ?—Samuel Andrew Ferguson. And you are representing ? —The South Auckland Dairy Association. You wish to give evidence before this Committee ?—Yes, in relation to the effect of the high grain tariff on the pig industry. Will you proceed with your statement ?—Yes, sir. lam here on behalf of the South Auckland Dairy Association to give you some evidence with respect to the tariff on grain-offal and grain feed generally as it affects the pig industry. As I have another meeting to attend this morning, I will just briefly touch on the items I wish to bring before you. I understand that the chairman of the Pig-marketing Association, of Hamilton, is also giving evidence before this Committee, so that he will be able to give you all figures and statistics. What we claim is that on account of the high tariff on pig-feed it is almost impossible to produce the right class of bacon and pork required by our customers. At the present time the Waikato is developing an export market for bacon and pork, and we are informed that pigs, for bacon and pork for the Home market, must be topped off with grain. But the present tariff on the grain foods —offal and suchlike—is making grain far too expensive for those engaged in the pig industry. I may say that, the pig industry could be easily doubled. The export of pig products could be easily doubled if we were able to get grain food at reasonable prices so that we could top off our pigs ; and also we would get a better price for our products on the Home market. We would be in a better position to compete with other countries and also with locally-grown pigs if we could get this grain at a reasonable rate to top off the pigs. There would then be no difficulty in increasing our exports. 1 would point out that the salvation of this country is the small dairy-farmer, who has brought his farm up to a high state of production, and it is important that he should be allowed to make the best use of his by-products. At the present time there are thousands of gallons of skim-milk and whey going to waste because it is not profitable to feed pigs on that alone, and by the addition of a little grain food it would double the quantity of pigs turned out. I may say that we have had an instance where a gentleman in the Morrinsville district was able to purchase certain grain-offal in Australia at something about £2 10s. per ton, but when it was finally landed here the price was more than doubled on account of the tariff. We also consider that the abolition of the duty on this grain food would be more advantageous to the industry than the Jd. per pound subsidy on the export of pork. Those are the points, gentlemen, that are raised by the South Auckland Dairy Association. I will be pleased to answer any questions. Hon. Mr. Forbes.] Have you any figures to show the cost of offal from Australia as compared with New Zealand ?—No, I have not the figures. You will be able to get them from the chairman of the Pig-marketing Association, Mr. Judd, who is going to give evidence before this Committee. You cannot tell us what the actual difference in price between the two countries would be if there was no tariff ?—No. And with the tariff ? —No, I could not give you the figures. I have not got them at all. Do you say that offal could be purchased in Australia at £2 10s. a ton I—That is what I understood from a member of the South Auckland Dairy Association —that a certain purchase was made at that price, and that by the time it reached New Zealand the price had more than doubled. The Chairman.] Can you tell us whether Mr. Judd will have the figures ?—Yes, I think Mr. Judd will have the figures. Mr. Bitchener.] Are you aware that the tariff is not against the pig-foods you mention, bran and pollard -No. Would you be surprised to know that there is only £1 per ton on bran and. pollard—that is all the protection there is against bran and pollard ?—That may be so, but there are other grains that are protected. Do you suggest that bran is a suitable pig-food ? —No. Pollard ?—Pollard or grain. And if the tide of importation is only protected by £1. a ton, have you any idea what the difference in the cost of finishing off would be if there was no protection ? I agree with you that it is necessary