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121. Mr. Charles Coombes, of Coombes and Son,, tanners, Dunedin, 18th May, 1880.—Evidence on the leather trade between Australia and New Zealand, and asking for a duty of 30 per cent, on leathers, to enable them to compete. They are obliged to use imported bark, as they cannot procure native bark from want of facilities. 122. Mr. Allan McLeod, Dunedin, 24th May, 1880.—Forwarding a letter from the Dunedin Bootmanufacturers' Association. 123. Mr. A. 11. Shelton, Secretary, Dunedin Boot-manufacturers' Association, Dunedin, 22nd May, 1880.—Giving their views upon the question of protection in reference to their trade; that Government is morally bound to find employment for al! classes of labour, and that additional duty must be put upon all descriptions of manufactured goods imported, and that all material used in the trade that cannot be produced in the colony should be admitted free. 124. Deputation of the boot and shoe-makers of Wellington, Ist June, 1880.—Being of opinion that the time has arrived for New Zealand to protect her industries, they recommend that a duty of 40 per cent, ad valorem should be placed upon all manufactured goods imported, considering that an ad valorem duty would be the fairest for all branches of their trade. 125. Mr. J. E. Evans, saddler, Wellington, 2nd June, 1880. —Evidence suggesting that machinebelting and harness compositions should have a duty of 15 per cent, put on them; that leather and copper rivets for hose-pipes be admitted free, or that a duty be charged on imported hose-pipe; and that machine-threads and brown kangaroo-skins be admitted free. Considers that the present tariff of 15 per cent, has been very satisfactory. 126. Mr. Alfred Tver, Wellington, 4th June, 1880. —Evidence stating that he is a tanner, and asking for the remission of duty on saffron. Metal Trades. 127. Messrs. A. and (1. Price, Grahamstown, 13th April, 18S0. —Stating that they are in a position to manufacture nearly any article in general engineering, iron and brass founding, &c, required in .New Zealand ; but at present they are far from busy. They are of opinion that a duty should be levied on all kinds of machinery imported ; that the Government should import only what cannot be manufactured in the country, and that Government contracts should be let to local manufacturers. 128. Messrs. Kincaid, McQueen and Co., Dunedin, 14th April, 1880.—Referring to their own particular branch of industry as engineers, millwrights, shipbuilders, &c, they regret that the Governments during the last eighteen years have given them so little encouragement, by having imported about 90 per cent, of the machinery and ironwork used by the State. After remarking on the large private contracts they have successfully carried out, they are of opinion that the whole of the colony's requirements in machinery, rolling-stock, &c, including locomotive engines, can be produced in the colony as cheaply as what is imported. They enclose certificates from the District Engineer on the satisfactory working of the steamdredge at Greymouth. 129. Mr. Charles Hawkeswood, Staffordshire Ironworks, Auckland, 10th April, 1880.—Forwarding a list of articles iv his business which he considers can be manufactured with advantage in the colony if a protective duty were put upon imported articles as per list, and recommending that a small bonus should be offered for the production of coal fit for coking and working iron generally ; also, a bonus for the production of pig-iron and steel. 130. Mr. Charles Woo.lgar, Auckland, 16th April, 1880.—Kequesting that the duty be increased on colonial ovens imported from Australia. 151. Mr. G. Daniel Burke, Auckland, 16th April, 1880. —Requesting that a duty of 25 per cent, be imposed upon imported bellows, and that all ironmongery, tacks, nails, &c, be admitted free when required for manufacturing purposes. 132. Messrs. Scott Bros., Christchurch, 19th April, 1880. — Being of opinion that their particular industry (iron and metal trade) should be encouraged by the imposition of protective duties, they enclose a list of article^ with their recommendations as to the alteration in the tariff. 133. Mr. Henry "Waits, tinsmith, Auckland, 30th April, 1880. —Evidence stating that he was not aware tinsmiths' fittings were free, and recommending that a heavier duty be imposed on imported tinware. 134. Mr. George McCaul, tinsmith, Auckland, 13th May, 1880.—Evidence suggesting that an additional duty of 10 per cent, be placed upon stamped tinware, galvanized-iron buckets, tubs, &c. 135. Mr. G. Thornicroft, Dunedin, 17th May, 1880.—Stating the difficulties he has had to contend with as a stove and range maker, and thinks that Government might help such men as he by giving a piece of land by the side of a railway at a nominal rent for ten years, with option of purchase. Thinks that neither free-trade nor protection will ever make work for- the unemployed. 136. Mr. A. Burt, of Messrs. A. and T. Burt, Dunedin, 18th May, 1880.—Referring to their trade (coppersmiths and plumbers), the alterations in the tariff last year meet with approval with the exception of the exemptions, which, in the opinion of the trade, ought to be wiped out. Is of opinion that the 15-per-cent. duty is a protective one, but would sooner have the old rate of 10 per cent., and the exemptions abolished. Encloses list of exemptions. 137. Messrs. Eeid and Gray, ironfounders, Dunedin, 18th May, 1880. —Evidence stating that they have little to complain of with the exception of the duty upon timber, which they desire should be abolished. 138. Messrs. Eraser and Tinne, Auckland, 27th May, 1880.—Complaining of an especial hindrance to private industry from which they have suffered ever since the initiation of the Public Works