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1877. NEW ZEALAND.

BEET-ROOT SUGAR COMMITTEE (REPORT OF THE).

Report orougM up and ordered to he printed, 29th August, 1877.

ORDERS OP REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the Souse of Representatives. Wednesday, the Ist day or August, 1877. Ordered, That the question of the encouragement of the manufacture of Beet Sugar be referred to a Select Committee. — (Mr. Sivanson.) Thtjbsday, the 9th day op August, 1877. Ordered, That the Select Committee, to whom was referred the question of the best means of introducing and establishing the manufacture of Beet-root Sugar in the colony, do consist of Hon. Mr. McLean, Mr. Murray, Mr. Burns, Mr. J. C. Brown, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Macfarlane, Mr. Hamlin, and the Mover; three to be a quorum, with power to call for per Eons and papers, and to report within three weeks. — (Mr. Swanson.)

EEPOET. The Select Committee, to whom was referred the question of the best means of introducing and establishing the manufacture of Beet-root Sugar, have the honor to report as follows : — That, in order to afford sufficient encouragement to the capitalist and manufacturer to enter upon the production of beet-root sugar in New Zealand, a guarantee should be given by the Government of freedom from any excise duty to be levied thereon for a period of ten years from the present time, and that the Customs duty should remain as at present on all imported sugar during the same period. John Sharp, 29th August, 1877. Chairman.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

"Wednesat, 15th August, 1877. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Pbesent : Mr. J. C. Brown, Mr. Macfarlane, Mr. Hamlin, Mr. Sharp. The Committee adjourned until Monday, 20th August, at 10.30 o'clock a.m.

Monday, 20th August, 1877. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Peesent: Mr. Macfarlane, Mr. Swanson. Mr. Sharp, Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Swanson, That Mr. Sharp be appointed Chairman. It was agreed that a series of questions be drafted by the Chairman, to be forwarded to Mr. Cairns, Auckland, either by letter or telegram. It was agreed that J. P. Joyce, Esq., M.H.R., be requested to attend next meeting to give evidence. The Committee then adjourned until Thursday, 23rd August, at 10 o'clock a.m.