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No. 54, 1935.—Petition of S. S. Green and 20 Others (representing the Auckland Master Bakers' and Pastrycooks' Association), Auckland. Praying that action be taken under the Board of Trade Act, 1919, to fix a minimum price and to regulate the distribution and sale of bread. I am directed to report that the member in charge of the petition having expressed a desire to withdraw same, the Committee recommends that he be allowed to do so. 27th August, 1936.

Whakatane Paper Mills, Limited, Water-supply Empowering Bill. I have the honour to report that, the Industries and Commerce Committee, to which was referred the Whakatane Paper Mills, Limited, Water-supply Empowering Bill, has taken evidence and carefully considered the same. The Committee recommends that, pending an exhaustive examination by the Government into the question of the economic and commercial utilization of New Zealand exotic forests, the Bill be not allowed to proceed. J. Hodgens, Chairman. 27th August, 1936.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Industries and Commerce Committee has passed the following resolution: " That the proceedings of the Committee, during the taking of evidence on the petition of C. A. Garside and others and cognate petitions relative to the operations of chain stores, be open to accredited representatives of the press, and that the Chairman do report this resolution to the House and move the adoption thereof by the House." Ist September, 1936.

No. 63.—Petition of Makea-nui Tinirau, Ariki, 0.8. E., of Rarotonga, and 252 Others. Praying for an inquiry into the best and most beneficial methods of applying a guaranteed minimum price to fruit shipped from Rarotonga. I have the honour to report that the Industries and Commerce Committee has carefully considered the petition and has no recommendation to make. 23rd September, 1936.

Report on Parliamentary Paper No. 154: Report op Parliamentary Delegation on Cook Islands Fruit Industry. I have the honour to report that the Industries and Commerce Committee, after careful consideration of the report and evidence, is of opinion that the recommendations contained in the report of the Cook Islands Delegation should be given most favourable consideration by the Government. And the Committee further recommends that the report of the Cook Islands Delegation should be considered by the Government in conjunction with the report of the Special Commission appointed to inquire into the marketing of fruit in New Zealand. 23rd September, 1936.

No. 62. —Petition of Vakatini, Ariki, of Rarotonga, and 806 Others. Praying that a Producers Board be established to control the marketing of produce for the Cook Islands. 1 have the honour to report that the Industries and Commerce Committee has carefully considered the petition and has no recommendation to make. J. Robertson, for Chairman. 23rd September, 1936.

No. 252.—Petition of W. J. McGkath and 6 Others (representing the Milk Producers' and Vendors' Association of Napier). Praying for the fixation of the price or prices of milk in the Borough of Napier. I have the honour to report that, as there are sufficient powers under the Board of Trade Act to enable the Minister of Industries and Commerce to deal with the prayer of the petition, the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. The Committee further recommends that as the question raised by the petitioners is one affecting many other localities in the Dominion, the Government should consider amending the Municipal Corporations Act so as to enable local bodies to control the position in their own localities. J. Hodgens, Chairman. 24th September, 1936.

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