XXXVII

1.—12.

The Committee also recommends that for future requirements extensive planting of trees suitable for pulp-manufacture should be immediately undertaken. It is suggested that the poorer lands of the West Coast and Southland, with their abundant rainfall and ample water-supply, afford the most promising location for this industry. Harbours and Coast Protection. The configuration of New Zealand, with its extensive seaboard, intensifies the importance 'of harbour accommodation to the prosperity of the country, and the peculiar characteristics of many of our harbours call for unremitting attention in order to meet adverse conditions arising from shifting sands, flood-silt, and othercauses. Very large sums of money have already been spent in this direction, as well as in original formation, and it must be admitted that far too large a proportion of this expenditure has been ineffectual. In order to, as far as possible, guard against this waste in the future, this Committee recommends the appointment of a fully qualified engineer' with a special knowledge in this direction, whose duties may be confined to this particular purpose as well, as the also-important matter of river and sea erosion. For the relief of small harbours whose usefulness or very existence is jeopardized by silting or' shifting sands, and whose circumstances or finances render the purchase of a dredge out of the question, the Committee recommends that a suitable dredge be purchased by the Government for hire at reasonable rates where required. This dredge should also be found useful in. connection with damage now being caused by silt and shingle blocking mouths of rivers. Monopolies, Combines, and Trade Associations. Legislation. It is quite apparent that there is a growing tendency to merge business interests with a view to establishing control of prices, and also for' separate interests to informally combine in fixing prices, and thus eliminate healthy competition. The Committee therefore recommends that the proposed Department of Industries and Commerce be specially empowered to exercise a measure of control over all such combinations ; to report annually to Parliament upon the nature and extent of such organizations ; and to make inquiry into any complaint which may be made in regard thereto. Meat Trust. The belief is general that the American Meat Trust is already operating in the Dominion, and that it will not be long before it spreads out its tentacles to seize upon our frozen-meat industry. There is no difference of opinion as to the necessity for preventing the establishment of this monopoly, and all who are interested in the freezing industry look- to the Government to save them from what they consider would be a calamity. The Committee would urge that the utmost vigilance be exercised by the Government as to the operations of meat-buying firms in this country, so that the American Meat Trust may be prevented from getting a strangle-hold on one of our main industries. Preserved Milk and Tobacco Industries. Evidence was tendered by those representing the above industries to the effect that large outside corporations with unlimited resources would be strong competitors with local firms employing purely local capital, and that there is a grave danger to the local industries. The; Committee emphasizes the importance of the Board of Industries and Commerce being authorized to keep a watchful eye upon those concerns from which danger is to be apprehended, and especially those employing other than purely British capital.