I.—lo

1905. NEW ZEALAND.

EXTENSION OF COMMERCE COMMITTEE (REPORT OF THE) ON THE METHYLATED SPIRITS BILL; TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. (Mr. T. MACKENZIE, Chairman.)

Report brought up on Saturday, 28th October, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE

Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 28th Day oe June, 1905. Ordered, "That Standing Order No. 218 be suspended, and that a Committee be appointed consisting of nineteen members, to inquire into and report as to the best means of promoting the commerce of the colony and the sale of the colony's produce in markets other than those at present obtainable ; the Committee to have power to call for persons and papers; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Aitken,*Mr. Barber, Mr. Bollard, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Duthie, Mr. Field, Mr. Hanan, Mr. Harding, Mr. Hardy, Mr. Hogg, Mr. Houston, Mr. Laurenson, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. McNab, Mr. Millar, Sir W. R. Russell, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Witheford, and the mover."— (Hon. Sir J. G. Wabd.)

Thursday, the 19th Day op October, 1905. Ordered, " That the Methylated Spirits Bill be referred to the Extension of Commerce Committee."—(Right Hon. R. J. Seddon.)

BE POET.

The Extension of Commerce Committee, to whom was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the same has been carefully considered and evidence taken thereon; also, that the Committee is of opinion that, whilst the question will require the careful attention of the Customs Department, it has not been made clear that the passing of the Bill this session is a matter of urgency. Begarding the point raised as to the spirits being used for adulterating articles for drinking purposes, the evidence does not disclose any such tendency. Minutes of evidence taken in connection therewith attached, and same to be printed. 28th October, 1905. Thos. Mackenzie, Chairman.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

Wednesday, 25th October, 1905. . W. T. Glasgow, Secretary for Customs, examined. (No. 1.) 1. The Chairman.] Will you make a statement, Mr. Glasgow?— Yes, Mr. Chairman. I maysay, in the first place, that the principal provision in this Bill is the law in the United Kingdom. The Spirits Act of 1880, section 130, provides as follows: "If any person (a) prepares or attempts to prepare any methylated spirits for use as or for a beverage or as a mixture with a beverage; or (5) sells any methylated spirits, whether so prepared or not, as or for a beverage, or mixed with a beverage; or (c) uses any methylated spirits or any derivative thereof in the preparation of any I—l. 10.