1.—13 a

4

Little evidence was put before the Committee on the subject of cool storage. It recommends, therefore, that the Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Department of Industries and Commerce, should investigate the possibilities of developing the cool storage of fruit in New Zealand. It especially recommends this suggestion to the Unemployment Board, as a means of fostering the development of the fruit trade in the direction of reducing unemployment. In conclusion, the Committee desires to state that the present report does not claim to be entirely complete. The subject-matter is too large and involved for a sessional Committee to deal with in all its ramifications. It is not even clear that a parliamentary Committee has all the powers that are needed to clear up important doubtful points. In the opinion of the Committee, either it should be appointed as a recess Committee with enlarged powers, or, alternately, the inquiry should be continued in the four centres by the Department of Industries and Commerce, which already has all needed powers, and the Department of Agriculture, with whom should be associated one or more members of Parliament. 14t.1i October, 1930. G. C. Munns, Chairman.

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