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I.—lo,

It will be necessary to allow a rebate of the duty on all sugar used in the manufacture of jams, jellies, and preserves, or to increase the duty on the imported article, for the following reasons, namely: (1.) Fruit can be bought in Tasmania very much cheaper than in New Zealand, and it will take at least three years to establish fruit-growing as a regular industry ; after that time I think we will require no protection, but will be in a position to export. (2.) A rebate is allowed in Tasmania of the duty on sugar used in the manufacture of jams for export. The manufacturers can therefore buy sugar 2d. per lb. cheaper than we can in New Zealand. (3.) Wages are lower, and other expenses less, in Tasmania than in this country I will also take the liberty of mentioning some of the advantages New Zealand will gain by this industry being established. (1.) There will be a cash market for all fruits, a great portion of which is now wasted. (2.) It will encourage the planting of small fruits, which are a most profitable crop, and give employment to a large number of children in picking them. (3.) It will make a market for a considerable quantity of our common woods, such as white pine; it will take more than 500,000 feet of timber to make the cases for the jams and preserved fruits imported into this country every year. (4.) It will encourage the manufacture of earthenware jars to a considerable extent. Allow me to call your attention to the fact that the duty on jam in Victoria is 2d. per lb., and that large preserving-works are in operation there, one concern employing about 230 hands. In Adelaide this industry is also carried on to a large extent, owing to the protective duty In Sydney, a company established for the manufacture of preserves has failed. As they had no protection, the Tasmanian makers undersold them. In San Francisco, where I learned the business, I know four large firms who employ between 1,000 and 1,500 during the fruit season. I would also draw your attention to the fact that the manufacture of candles is protected by a duty of l£d. per lb. on the imported article, and also that the confectioners and lolly-makers have a protective duty of 2d. per lb.; and neither of these industries give employment to the number of hands the preserving trade will do. I have, &c, The Chairman of the Colonial Industries Committee. S. Kirkpatrick.

TOBACCO CULTIVATION. Mr. A. Vollbracht to the Chairman, Colonial Industries Committee. Sir,— Wellington, 20th July, 1881. Referring to my reports given to the Royal Commissioners on Local Industry at Wellington, June 2nd and sth, 1880, I only have to repeat to-day that it is not possible to grow, or manufacture with profit, any tobacco or cigars in New Zealand under the present Tobacco Act. We are aware through our own experience, and from the evidence of good tobacco experts, that tobacco can be produced here in New Zealand better than in any other colony of Australasia, and also, in years to come, not far distant, equal to the American leaf tobacco. In comparing our New Zealand leaf tobacco with the Victorian, New South Wales, and Queensland leaf tobacco, I have proved in connection with Messrs. Richmond Bros., formerly tobacco growers in Virginia, that our New Zealand grown tobacco is not only richer and more substantial in body, but also better in flavour, leaf, and plant. The colonial leaf tobacco ought not to be taxed at more than Is. per pound, to encourage such a most important agricultural, industry What the revenue would lose through the above-named alteration would be gained by the masses of leaf tobacco grown in New Zealand ; besides our demand for our own market, exportation will take place, either in New Zealand leaf tobacco or manufactured tobacco or cigars. Duty of Is. per lb. of New Zealand leaf tobacco should be paid either if the tobacco be manufactured here or not. On the other side, the general public will gain by it ; plentiful labour will be offered, and, besides this, the working capital remains in our colony Our present importers will then be able to export our own tobacco and cigars to the Australian colonies, contrary to the present state, where the only dealing in tobacco is in the shape of importation. The present Tobacco Act has encouraged smuggling at a good rate, through the tobacco clause 13, which says, " Provided that any person growing tobacco on his own ground, and manufacturing the same for the use of himself and the members of his family," &c, shall not require a licence. Everyone who manufactures tobacco, <fec, in the colony ought to have a licence; there ought to be no exceptions of this kind. I believe Havanna tobacco could be well grown in the Wairarapa District; Virginia and State seed could be successfully cultivated anywhere from the Bay of Plenty along the East Coast up to Hawke's Bay and also to Wellington ; Pensylvania seed leaf could be produced in the Wanganui district; and Connecticut in Nelson; Maryland and Massachusetts seed in Canterbury, and part of Otago. 1 believe, further, that on account of the mildness of the temperature, the above-named districts, with the exception of Canterbury and Otago, will produce every twelve months a good crop of tobacco. The two most essential items in tobacco culture are, first, a good body, and secondly a good sound cure. The first is secured by rich ground with plenty of manure ; the second by free exposure to the sun and air, and exclusion from rain and damp weather. Good cultivation of ten acres will produce in the average from six to seven tons tobacco. I have, &c, The Chairman of the Colonial Industries Committee. August Vollbracht.

Mr. A. Vollbracht to the Chairman, Colonial Industries Committee. Sir,— Wellington, 29th July, 1881. I have the honor to state, according to your request of the 26th July, that the produced samples of leaf tobacco, grown in. this colony, were sent to me for examination by the following tobacco-growers: (1.) Mr. A. Osterbye (at present at Wellington), samples of Wairarapa leaf