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to be a Commission for the purpose of inquiring by all lawful means into the conditions affecting the timber and timber-building industries, including the matters following, that is to say,— With respect to New Zealand timber, — (1.) The cost of felling; (2.) The cost of cutting at the mill; (3.) The price when sold by the mill to — (a.) The consumer, (b.) The middleman, and (c.) The retailer; (4.) The price when sold by the middleman to — (d.) The consumer, and (c.) The retailer; (5.) The areas of Crown land held for sawmilling purposes under the Land Act or the State Forests Act, showing in each case the name of the licensee and the acreage" held; (6.) The estimated area of Crown land still available for sawmilling purposes but not taken up, showing the districts in which the areas are situate and the total area in each district. With respect to Oregon timber, — (7.) The extent to which it is imported, and the effect of these importations on the local timber and timber-building industries; (8.) Its landed cost (showing freight and charges separately from costprice) ; (9.) Its price when sold by the importer to— (a.) The consumer, (b.) The middleman, and (c.) The retailer. And generally any matters which in your opinion injuriously affect the timber and timber-building industries, or would tend to promote their development, including the necessity or expediency of any legislation in the premises. For the purposes of your inquiry you are hereby aivthorised and empowered to have before you and examine all books, papers, documents, and writings you deem necessary, and also to have before you and examine on oath or otherwise as allowed by law all witnesses or other persons whom you think capable of affording you any information in the premises. The said Thomas Young Duncan shall be your Chairman, and you are hereby empowered and directed to conduct your inquiry at Invercargill, Dunedin, Christchurch, Greymouth, Wellington, Taihape, and Auckland, in such manner, at such times, and with such adiournments as you think fit. And, using all diligence, you are hereby required to report to me under your hands the result of your inquiry, with any recommendations you think fit to make in the premises, on or before the thirtyfirst day of May, one thousand nine hundred and nine. Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable William Lee, Baron Plunket, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, Governor and Commander - (1.5.) in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies; and issued under the Seal of the said Dominion, at the Government House, at Wellington, this ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and nine. J. G. Waed. In Executive Council. Alex. Willis, Clerk of the Executive Council

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