INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Hon. A. D. McLEOD, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1933 Session I, I-13

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1933. NEW ZEALAND.

INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Hon. A. D. McLEOD, Chairman.)

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE.

Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Friday, the 6th Day of October, 1933. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to consider all matters in connection with industries and commerce that may be referred to it: the Committee to consist of Mr. Ansell, Mr. de la Perrelle, Mr. Harris, Mr. H. Holland, the Hon. Mr. McLeod, Mr. McSkimming, Mr. Savage, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Wilkinson, and the mover." —(Hon. Mr. Cobbe.) Tuesday, the 14th Day or November, 1933. Ordered, " That the petitions of the Associated Motorists Petrol Company, Limited, the New Zealand Farmers' Union, Incorporated, and the South Island (N.Z.) Motor Union, Incorporated, be referred direct to the Industries and Commerce Committee." —(Mr. Linklater.) Thursday, the 16th Day of November, 1933. Ordered, " That the Hire of Films Bill be referred to the Industries and Commerce Committee." —(Mr. Lee.)

INDEX.

REPORTS.

No. 187.—Petition of Thorpe and Son, of Onehunga, and 27 Others. Praying that action be taken to establish fair trading-conditions with the sale of meat. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 30th November, 1933.

No. Petitioner, &c. Page 217 Associated Motorists Petrol Company, 2 Limited Final report .. .. • • 3 Hire of Films Bill .. -. 2 47 Mead, H. M., and 6 others, and 2 schedule

No. Petitioner, &c. Page 219 New Zealand Farmers' Union, In- 2 eorporated 218 South Island (N.Z.) Motor Union, 2 Incorporated Special report (re Clerk) .. .. 3 187 Thorpe and Son, and 27 others .. 1

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Hire op Films Bill. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee an exhaustive inquiry into the Film Industry in all its bearings should be undertaken at the earliest possible date. That, in view of the amount of evidence offering and the limited time at the disposal of the Committee, it is impossible to undertake such inquiry during the present session. The Committee therefore recommends such inquiry be made by the Government, and, pending same, that the Hire of Films Bill be not allowed to proceed this session. 30th November, 1933.

No. 217.- —Petition of Associated Motorists Petrol Company, Limited, of Courtenay Place, Wellington; No. 218.—Petition of South Island (N.Z.) Motor Union, Incorporated, of Christchurch; No. 219. —Petition of The New Zealand Farmers' Union, Incorporated, of Wellington. Praying that legislation be enacted to provide for the fixation of prices of petrol with the intent to prevent unfair competition, or other action as may be advisable in the public interest. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion—(1) That the recent progressive fall in prices was due mainly to combination on the part of the major oil companies, with the object of crushing the Associated Motorists Petrol Company, Limited ; (2) that present selling-prices are uneconomic, and are likely to result in destroying competition among sellers, thus bringing about monopoly; (3) that such monopoly will probably result in substantially increasing prices to consumers ; (4) that in the public interest the petitions should be referred to the Government for immediate and most favourable consideration, with a recommendation that special legislation should be enacted to control selling-prices, or, in the alternative, that the powers provided in the Board of Trade Act, 1919, be invoked for that purpose. sth December, 1933.

No. 47. Petition of H. M. Mead, of Shannon, and 6 Others, and sixty-six Similar Petitions as per Schedule attached. Praying that action be taken under the Board of Trade Act, 1919, to establish fair trading-conditions in the retail tobacco trade, to develop the tobacco industry, and to protect consumers against monopoly prices. I am directed to report that, while unable to recommend the prayer of the petitioners to the Government for favourable consideration, the Committee recommends the Government to give favourable consideration for the removal of tobacco (including cigarettes and cigars) from the Schedule of the Commercial Trusts Act, 1910, provided the manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers enter into agreement safeguarding consumers.

Schedule.

13th December, 1933.

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Petition. Petitioner. Petition. Petitioner. 48 Harris, L. G., and 10 others. j 100 | Feek, R. G., and 27 others. 49 Hyde, E., and 11 others. ! 101 ! Clowes, J., and 23 others. 62 Gardiner, K. C., and 22 others. 102 Adams, G. C., and 2 others. 63 Brown, C. D., and 59 others. { 103 McClymont, G„ and 45 others. 64 Simpson, J. H„ and 52 others. 104 I Asher, G., and 34 others. 65 Harvey, A., and 15 others. 109 1 Wilkinson, R. L. C. ( and 2 others. 66 Johnson, M. J., and 43 others. 110 Hoppy, R„ and 4 others. 67 Dye, F., and Sons, and 17 others. Ill Lister, J. C., and 9 others. 68 Edwards, W. R., and 106 others. 112 i MaeClure and MaeClure, and 26 others. 69 Andrews, A. S., and Sons, and 64 others. 113 j Cooper and Hesp, and 8 others. 70 Dolores, P., and 33 others. 114 Milnes, V. H„ and 79 others. 71 Harris, W. J., and 13 others. 115 ! Gillies, H., and 71 others. 79 Burns, W., and 57 others. 123 Collins, T., and 1 other. 80 Jensen, J., and Son, and 44 others. 124 Stowell, J. W„ and Sons, and 18 others. 81 White, 0. C., and 21 others. 125 Kinniburgh, A. E., and 36 others. 82 Feary, P. R., and 10 others. 133 Hamilton, W. K„ and 12 others. 83 Deere, J., and 15 others. 134 Armit, R„ and 118 others. 84 Turnbull, P. S., and 19 others. 135 Eccles Bros., and 17 others. 85 Kirby, W., and 34 others. 136 McDowell, J. A., and 6 others. 86 Richardson, R„ and 26 others. 137 Giorgi, L., and 28 others. 87 Jordin, J. L., and 7 others. 142 Fowkes, E., and 19 others. 88 Petehford, R. G., and 3 others. 162 Johnston, K„ and 17 others. 89 Walker, R., and Son, and 38 others. 163 Doig, J. A., and 36 others. 90 Priestnal, S. E., and 1 other. 164 1 Langmuir, W. R., and 12 others. 91 Penman, J. 165 ; Matheson's (Otautau), Limited, and 19 others. 92 Bainbridge, C„ and 12 others. 171 Lightfoot L. J., and 57 others. 93 Cleal, H. J., and 30 others. 172 | Brown, J. C., and 12 others. 94 Badcock, H. G., and 17 others. 173 ! Nunes, J., and 4 others. 95 Cock, L. L., and 9 others. 185 White, R., and Co., and 16 others. 96 Scrimshaw, A. A. H„ and 12 others. 188 Clark, H. J., and 25 others. 97 Mitchell, W. A„ and 8 others. 221 Edmonds, A. W„ and 12 others. 98 Haybittle, E. C., and 20 others. 222 Armit, R. W., and 37 others. 99 Betten, L. A., and 14 others. 223 Duncan, C. W„ and 33 others.

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Special Report. I have the honour to report that at its final meeting on Thursday, 14th day of December, 1933, the Industries and Commerce Committee by resolution expressed its appreciation of the services rendered by the Clerk, Mr. M. S. Pasley, and directed that the resolution be recorded on the minutes and reported to the House. 20th December, 1933.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Industries and Commerce Committee, consisting of ten members, has held ten meetings during the session, with an average attendance of six members. Seventy-one petitions were referred to the Committee and reported on to the House. Sixty-seven of these petitions asked that action be taken under the Board of Trade Act, 1919, to establish fair tradingconditions in the retail tobacco trade, three asked that legislation be enacted to provide for fixation of prices of petrol, and one that fair trading-conditions in the sale of meat be established. One Bill was referred to the Committee, and reported on to the House. 20th December, 1933. A. D. McLeod, Chairman.

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