H—36

2. If your findings on the matter aforesaid be in the negative, whether steps should be taken under the regulations specified in the Schedule to the Supply Regulations Act, 1947, or otherwise, to make so available at certain times of the year additional quantities of fresh meat or (if this be not thought possible) chilled or frozen meat. 3. Whether it is practicable to provide for butchers to purchase meat for local consumption by means of a schedule similar to that adopted for the export trade and, if so, what margin (if any) should be paid over and above the export schedule price. 4. If the purchase of meat for the local market on a schedule basis is deemed desirable and practicable whether the auction system of disposing of stock for the local market should be continued and if so to what extent. 5. Whether, in the event of the auction system being continued, it is desirable to encourage the practice of group buying by butchers. 6. Whether the extension of the practice on the part of freezing companies of entering into the wholesale and retail butchery trade is desirable and to what extent this practice affects the operations of abattoirs maintained local authorities under the Meat Act, 1939. And generally upon other matters affecting producers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers of meat, or affecting one or more of such classes of persons as may come to your notice in the course of your inquiries and which you consider should be the subject of opinions expressed by you in your report. And in exercise of the powers and authorities aforesaid and with the like advice and consent I do hereby appoint you the said Archibald Albany McLachlan to be Chairman of the said Commission. And for the better enabling you to carry these presents into effect you are hereby authorized and empowered to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents at such times and places as you deem expedient with power to adjourn from time to time and place to place as you may think fit and so that these presents shall continue in force the inquiry may at any time and place be resumed although not regularly adjourned from time to time or place to place. And you are hereby strictly charged and directed that you shall not at any time publish or otherwise disclose save to me in pursuance of these presents or by my direction the contents of any reports so made or to be made by you or any evidence or information obtained by you in the exercise of the powers hereby conferred upon you except such evidence or information as is received in the course of a sitting open to the public.

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