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expedient, in the interest of agricultural industry, that distillation of spirits should be resumed in New Zealand, and that there shall be a differential duty of 6s. per gallon in favour of the colonial manufacture ; such differential duty to continue for, say, five years. Moved by Mr. Lundon, That the duty upon imported jams, jellies, and preserves should be increased by Id. per lb. The following amendment was then moved by Mr. Macandrew : That the word " penny " be struck out,for the purpose of inserting the word " halfpenny "in lieu thereof. On the question being put, That the word " penny " stand part of the question, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follows :—■ Ayes. —Mr. Ballance, Mr. Lundon. Noes. —Captain Colbeck, Mr. Macandrew The votes being equal, the Chairman gave his casting-vote in favor of the Noes. So it passed in the negative. Then the question, as amended, was agreed to. The Committee then adjourned till 10.30 a.m. the following day

Tuesday, 16th August, 1881. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Captain Colbeck, Mr. Lundon, and Mr. Murray (Chairman). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. On the motion of Captain Colbeck, Resolved, That the proposed Department of Science and Industries should, with the view to the establishment of olive-culture, import by plants, seeds, or truncheons, as may be found best, the most suitable varieties of the olive-tree, for distribution by the department, upon such terms and in such parts of the colony as the department shall consider best; and that, as an inducement to the planting of olives, twice the amount of land should be given for each acre planted in olive-trees than is granted under the laws and regulations for the encouragement of the planting of forest trees. On the motion of Mr. Lundon, Resolved, That the Government should, as soon as possible, import sorghum seed for distribution, and should also import the machinery required for the manufacture of sugar from sorghum, the cost of which your Committee have in evidence will not exceed £70. Resolved, That the following interim report be agreed to: —Your Committee, having taken into consideration the aid to agriculture which local markets for cereals afford, and, having considered that if spirituous liquors are to be used, these might be not more injurious if produced in the colony than if imported, while they would, if produced in New Zealand, save a large amount of money yearly, the annual import of spirits amounting to £212,409, of which £109,574 are for brandy, which is commonly reported to be largely composed of raw grain whiskey imported into France from Britain, or manufactured from beetroot, and after manipulation is exported as brandy. It is found that grain damaged for food is still suitable for distillation, which would enable much that is now comparatively valueless to be utilized, and would prevent oats ever falling to the extremely low rates which prevailed of late years. The establishment of distillation would also be useful in view of the hopeful prospects laid before your Committee of the early manufacture of sugar in the colony, a subject which will be found treated of in another part of their report. The Committee have, therefore, the honor to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, it is expedient in the interest of agricultural industry that distillation of spirits should be resumed in New Zealand, and that there shall be a differential duty of 6s. per gallon in favour of the colonial manufacture ; such differential duty to continue for, say, five years. This being all the business, the Committee adjourned sine die.

Friday, 19th August, 1881. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Ballance, Captain Colbeck, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Murray (Chairman), and Mr. Wright. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Sir George Grey attended, and gave evidence relative to the growth and culture of the olive and other trees, his evidence being recorded. Mr. McArdle was present, and made statements relative to the improvement of fruit-trees, and the management of orchards. Captain Colbeck gave notice that he would, at the next meeting, move, That this Committee recommend the compilation and printing of, in pamphlet form, the papers read before the South Australian Chamber of Manufactures; the letters of the Commissioner of Agriculture, United States ; and other such information as has been obtained in evidence, especially that of Sir George Grey on the subject of the cultivation of the olive and manufacture of olive-oil; also the cultivation of sorghum and manufacture of sorghum-sugar; also the methods adopted in the drying and preservation of fruit; and that the Department of Science and Industries be charged with this duty This being all the business the Committee adjourned.

Tuesday, 23rd August, 1881. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Ballance, Captain Colbeck, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Lundon, and Mr. Murray (Chairman. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Seed, Secretary of Customs, attended, and was examined relative to the reduction, &c, of the tariff', his evidence being recorded. Captain Colbeck made a statement showing the necessity of adopting olive-growing, and his evidence was taken down.