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XXV

storage of wines. Your Committee has taken evidence from vignerons and others, with the result that it has come to the conclusion that legislation should be provided to remove this industry from the present uncertainty and possible danger of being destroyed by the voles cast on the question of prohibition of the liquor trade. In a portion of Canada which is now under prohibition this principle has been adopted, and in Australia it is proposed to make a similar provision.. Without in any way desiring to raise the debatable question of liquor or no liquor, your' Committee is of opinion that the manufacture of wines of good quality and unfortified should not be interfered with. Woollen Industries. Evidence given before your Committee goes to prove that there is much dissatisfaction because of the high price charged for all lines of woollen goods, and it therefore recommends that an inquiry be made as to whether or not there is exploitation or profiteering on the part of manufacturers or' merchants. The woollen companies have the benefits of a protective Customs tariff and the supply to them of the raw material, at the commandeered price, which is about one-half the amount paid in the open market. Evidence has been submitted to your Committee that there are too many intermediate profits between the producer and the consumer. Your Committee is of opinion that this cause of complaint might be removed if the retailer were enabled to deal direct with the mills, and not be compelled, as at present, to purchase from certain wholesale merchants. Flour-milling. In order to regulate the price and to lead to the more equable distribution of flour, with the view of controlling the price of bread, the Committee strongly recommends that the Government shall establish at least one flour-mill in the North Island and not less than two in the South Island, and that such mills shall be run on commercial lines, including the payment of all rates, taxes, and other outgoings for which private firms are liable. POLLARD-ADULTERATION. It was shown in evidence that whereas the price of pollard is regulated, nothing is done to provide for a standard of quality, and much pollard is lowered in quality owing to the addition of bran. The Committee recommends that, in addition to fixing the price, a standard of quality be determined. Fishing Industry. In a survey of the sources of food-supply it has to be admitted that the providing of fish for our' people has been largely neglected. With its great extent of coast-line in proportion to its area, and with its waters teeming with edible fish, it might have been expected that New Zealand would have been a country of fish-eating people ; but such is not the case. Before the advent of the European the Maori could well have been placed in that category. In Canada the annual consumption of fish for every man, woman, and child is at the rate of 25 lb. per head ; in New Zealand it is 5 lb., and is mostly confined to the people in the cities and coastal towns. Valuable recommendations have been made from time to time by the Chief Inspector of Fisheries, but successive Governments have failed to give such recommendations serious consideration. How to develop the Industry. How, then, is the development of this industry to be brought about ? The answer may be given in a. single word —organization : organization for catching,

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