H.—lB

10. What influence, if any, has the value of gold had on the cost of living ? 11. What effect have the movements of the urban and rural populations had on the cost of living ? 12. What causes generally have brought about the increased cost of living ? 13. What steps should be taken with a view to reducing the cost of the necessaries of life ? And with the like advice and consent I do further appoint you, the said George William Leadley, to be Chairman of the said Commission. And for the better enabling you, the said Commission, to carry these presents into effect, you are hereby authorized and empowered to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents at Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland, and at such times as you deem expedient, with power to adjourn from time to time and from place to place as enumerated as you think fit, and to call before you and examine on oath or otherwise, as may be allowed by law, such person or persons as you think capable of affording information in the premises ; and you are also empowered to call for and examine all such books and records as you deem likely to afford you the fullest information on the subject-matter of the inquiry hereby directed to be made, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all lawful means whatsoever. And, using all diligence, you are required to report to me, under your hands and seals, not later than the twenty-fifth day of June, one thousand nine hundred and twelve, your opinion as to the aforesaid matters. And it is hereby declared that these presents shall continue in full force and virtue although the inquiry is not regularly continued from time to time or from place to place by adjournment. And, lastly, it is hereby further declared that these presents are issued under and subject to the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908. Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable John Poynder Dickson-Poynder, Baron Islington, Governor and Com-mander-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 twenty-fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and twelve. Thos. Mackenzie, Approved in Council. Prime Minister. Leod. E. Johnson, Acting Clerk of the Executive Council.

APPOINTMENT OF Dr. JAMES HIGH'! IN PLACE OF JOHN ROSS, Esq., RESIGNED. Islington, Governor. To all to whom these presents shall come, and to James Hight, Esquire, M.A., F.R.E.S., Litt.D., of Christchurch : Greeting. Whereas by a Warrant dated the twenty-fourth day of May, one thousand nine hundred and twelve, the Governor in Council appointed certain persons, including John Ross, Esquire, of Dunedin, to be a Commission to inquire into and report upon the subject of the cost of living in New Zealand, and the necessity or expediency of legislation with respect thereto : And whereas the said John Ross has resigned his appointment as a member of the said Commission, and it is expedient to appoint another member in his place :

IV