H.—2

XXXVI

Arthur Andrews, of A. Andrews and Co., bookbinders and account-book manufacturers, gave evidence on the question of imported stationery and "account-books, and asked for an increase of duty on same. G. W. Russell, M.H.R., pointed out some anomalies in the tariff as regards imported directories and imported circulars, &c. Edward Featherstonhaugh Dombrain, importer, gave evidence on the question of sheep-dip, and asked that no duty be placed on same. The Commission adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until to-morrow at 9.30 a.m.

Chbistchuech, Tuesday, 19th Maech, 1895. The Commission met at 9.30 a.m. • Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Stevens, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Tanner, and Mr. Mackenzie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman brought up the question of a duty on samples, and Mr. Glasgow made a statement concerning same. E. G. Staveley, president, Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and M. Murphy, secretary, attended, and gave evidence against any duty being placed on imported sheep-dip, and afterwards, at the request of the Commission, gave their views as to the duty on certain articles and implements used by the agricultural and farming people. A. L. Smith, manager, Milburn Company, Christchurch, and H. B. Kirk, president of the Industrial Association, and also representing Messrs. Wilson and Co., of Auckland, attended and asked for an increased duty on imported cement. William Arthur Leach, of Gavin, Gibson, and Co.; J. Harris, of W. Harris and Co.; and A. Nicholls, of Chisnal, Steward, and Nicholls, attended as a deputation from importers and retailers of boots and shoes, and made a statement in regard to the duty on imported boots. - John Lee Scott, of Scott Brothers, attended and made a statement as to the duty on certain articles used in the iron trade. J. A. Frostick, George Bowron, Henry G. Wood, and T. Vivian attended as a joint deputation from the bootmakers and tanners and curriers, and gave evidence on the question of a basis agreed upon by the two industries. J. A. Frostick, H. Milligan, and J. A. Kemp attended and produced samples of imported boots taken to pieces. William Eowe asked for a higher duty on edge-tools, such as slashers, &c. Some discussion ensued as to whether a certain pamphlet on prison labour, which Mr. Mackenzie had received from W. G. North at Dunedin, should be included in Mr. North's evidence. Mr. Tanner proposed, That, with the permission of Mr. Mackenzie, the pamphlet be returned to W. G. North, and he be asked to mark any passages he may have read, and return same, with a view of having the extracts printed with his evidence. Hon. W. J. Steward seconded it pro forma. Upon the question being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Aye. —Mr. Tanner. Noes. —Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Stevens, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Major Steward. So it passed in the negative. The Commission adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until to-morrow at 9.30 a.m.

Chbistchuech, Wednesday, 20th Maech, 1895. The Commission met at 9.30 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Tanner, Mr. Stevens, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Hutchison, and Mr. Mackenzie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Nicholas Oates, cycle-maker, attended and asked an increased duty on bicycles. Thomas White, silversmith, asked for an increased duty on silverplate. Thomas Wardell, steel-founder, asked for a duty on steel and steel castings, &c. C. J. Clayton, bootmaker, asked that a duty be placed on children's boots, o's to 3's. Nimrod Mitchell, carpet-maker, asked for a higher duty on imported carpets. Henry F. Wigram, of Christchurch, maltster, asked that, in the event of the South Australian Government admitting New Zealand barley free of duty, a similar concession be made in the case of malt. William Gimblett, nurseryman, asked for a higher duty on imported fruit. Arthur C. Reid, representing A. J. White and Co., pointed out certain anomalies in the method of collecting duty on certain invoices of goods. William Stokes, nail-manufacturer, asked for a heavier duty on imported nails, wines, and fireworks. David Sykes, J. M. Mitchell, J. Laurie, Henry Pyke, and Edward Edmonds attended as a deputation from the manufacturers of furniture, and gave evidence on furniture made in gaols, and also asked for a prohibitive duty on imported Japanese furniture. Henry Thomas Johnson, representing Messrs. Johnson and Cousins, and J. Madderin asked for an increased duty on twine, except binder-twine. William Augustus Williams, president, and F. C. Gerard, secretary, of the Canterbury Typographical Society, attended, and gave evidence as to placing a duty on certain imported printed matter.