H.—2

XXVI

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Wellington, Monday, 4th Febbuaky, 1895. The first meeting of the Tariff Commission took place at the Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington, on Monday, the 4th February, 1895, at 11 o'clock a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward, M.H.R. (Chairman); Mr. W. Hutchison, M.H.R., and Mr. W. W. Tanner, M.H.R. The Secretary, Mr. E. W. Kane, was also in attendance. The Chairman read the Commission. The Secretary was authorised to obtain copies of the Christchurch Press containing a series of articles and interviews on the " industries " question. After some telegrams between members of the Commission, the Premier, and others, as to the meetings of the Commission, had been read, the meeting adjourned until 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Upon reassembling, Mr. J. Stevens, M.H.R., Mr. W. T. Glasgow, Secretary of the Customs, and Mr. W. H. Russell, reporter, attended. The Chairman asked members for an expression of opinion as to whether Press representatives should be admitted or not, and, if so, upon what conditions. After some discussion it was resolved that further consideration of the question should be postponed pending the arrival of Messrs. T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., and J. McGowan, M.H.R. The question of fixing the dates and the route of the Commission was also held over pending the arrival of the other members of the Commission. The Chairman mentioned that the Secretary had been authorised to insert an advertisement in the papers asking proposed witnesses to send in their names and addresses, and the subjects on which they wished to be examined. Letters were received from the under-mentioned, in which they expressed a desire to give evidence before the Commission: Arthur W. Taylor, Auckland, wine-merchant; Mrs. C. Hinsch, Wellington; Read and Fenwick, Wellington, glass-silverers; E. C. Batkin, Wellington, tobacconist; B. Danks and Co., Wellington, coir-mattrass makers; and W. P. McGirr, secretary, Wellington Typographical Society. A time was fixed for the examination of the Wellington witnesses to-morrow, and the Secretary was requested to inform the witnesses accordingly, and also to acknowledge the receipt of Mr, Taylor's letter. The Commission then adjourned until to-morrow at 9.45 a.m.

Wellington, Tuesday, sth Febeuaby, 1895. The Commission met at 9.45 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Tanner, and Mr. Stevens. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mrs. Hinsch and E. C. Batkin sent word to say that they were unable to attend to-day, but would attend at some future meeting. Benjamin Danks, of Wellington, coir-mattrass maker, attended and made a statement. Herbert Read and George Fenwick, of the firm of Read and Fenwick, glass-silverers and -bevellers, Wellington, attended, and Mr. Read made a statement. At 12.45 p.m. the Commission adjourned until 7.30 p.m. Upon reassembling, H. C. Jones, the president of the Wellington Typographical Society, attended and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. A letter from J. O'Brien, secretary of the Workers' Union, Waimate, referring to the duty on shearers' requisites, was read. The Secretary was instructed to acknowledge the receipt of the letter, and state that the subject would receive consideration. A. M. Smith, Secretary Department of Industries, wroie intimating that a Mr. William Sanderson, North Botany Glassworks, Sydney, desired a protective duty on glass bottles. Resolved, That the receipt of the communication be acknowledged. T. Garland, tinplate-worker, Wellington, wrote asking to be allowed to give evidence. Resolved, That his evidence be taken to-morrow. The Commission then adjourned until to-morrow at 2.30 p.m.

Wellington, Wednesday, 6th Febeuaby, 1895. The Commission met at 2.30 p.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Tanner, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. McGowan, and Mr. Stevens. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. As Mr. Mackenzie had not arrived in Wellington, the question of admitting the Press was further adjourned until to-morrow. A letter was received from E. Tregear enclosing an extract from his first report of the Labour Department. Resolved, That the same be acknowledged,