H.—44a,

Tuesday, Ist March, 1927. The Committee met at 10.15 a.m. All members were present. The following witnesses were examined on oath : R. A. Wilkie, manager, Star Stores, Dunedin and Christchurch ; A. L. Cropp, manager, Edmonds and Co., Ltd. ; B. Sutherland, manager, Sutherland's Cash and Carry Stores, Wellington. The meeting adjourned at 4.30 p.m. Wednesday, 2nd March, 1927. The Committee met at 10.15 a.m. All members were present. The following witnesses were examined : B. Sutherland, manager, Sutherland's Cash and Carry Stores, Wellington ; W. Tuck, grocer, Christchurch ; Professor Murphy, Professor of Economics, Victoria College, Wellington ; G. G. Marriott, grocer, Auckland ; G. R. Horsborough, grocer, Hawera ; A. A. Kelly, grocer, Hastings, Napier. The meeting adjourned at 5.30 p.m. Thursday, 3rd March, 1927. The Committee met at 10.15 a.m. All members were present. The following witnesses were examined : W. Earle (of Earle Bros.), grocer, Johnsonville and Khandallah; N. B. Boyd, manager, Macduffs Ltd., Wellington; R. A. Wilkie (recalled); R. J. L. Thomson, fancy goods, Wanganui. The meeting adjourned at 5.30 p.m. Friday, 4th March, 1927. The Committee met at 2.30 p.m. All members were present. Mr. M. Myers summed up on behalf of the Proprietary Articles Trade Association. The hearing of evidence having been completed, the Committee adjourned until the 29th inst. Tuesday, 29th March, 1927. The Committee reassembled at 10.30 a.m. All members were present. Correspondence was read and received from the secretary, Public Service Association ; Potter and Birks ; Kempthorne, Prosser, and Co., Ltd. ; T. J. Edmonds, Ltd. * The Committee discussed the order of precedence in framing the report to the Minister. Wednesday, 30th March, 1927. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m. All members were present. Thursday, 31st March ; Friday, Ist April ; Monday, 4th April ; Tuesday, sth April ; Wednesday, 6th April ; Thursday, 7th April, 1927. The Committee met on these days and discussed the report, drafted and completed same.

XX