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1930. NEW ZEALAND.

TOBACCO INDUSTRY COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. GEO. C. BLACK, Chairman.)

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 30th Day of July, 1930. Ordered, " That a Select Committee, consisting of ten members, be appointed to inquire into and report upon the Dominion tobacco growing and manufacturing industries in all their phases ; with power to call for persons, papers, and records ; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of the Hon. Mr. At more, Mr. Black, Mr. Clinkard, Mr. Munns, Mr. Barnard, Mr. Mason, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Harris, Mr. Kyle, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Murdoch.) Ordered, " That the number of members of the Committee appointed to inquire into and report upon the Dominion tobacco growing and manufacturing industries be increased from ten to twelve, and that the names of Mr. Poison and Mr. Tan Henare be added to those on the Committee."—(Hon. Mr. Forbes.) Tuesday, the sth Day of August, 1930. Ordered, " That the petition of W. J. Smith and others bo referred direct to the Tobacco Industry Committee."—(Mr. Black.) Tuesday, the 9th Day of September, 1930. Ordered, " That the petition of R. R. Hodgkinson and others be referred direct to the Tobacco Industry Committee."—(Mr. Black.)

REPORT. I have the honour to report that the Tobacco Industry Committee, appointed to inquire into and report upon the Dominion tobacco growing and manufacturing industries in all their phases, held during its deliberation twenty-four meetings, and has heard evidence on the subject-matter of the order of reference and two petitions from the following witnesses : —• (a) Representing Messrs. W. D. and H. 0. Wills (N.Z.), Ltd., Imperial Tobacco Co., and Dominion Tobacco Co.— Mr. R. B. Smith, director. Mr. R. L. Gracie, director. (b) Representing Auckland tobacco-growing companies— Dr. W. H. Horton, Auckland Tobacco-growers, and New Zealand Tobacco Co., Ltd. Mr. G. A. Green, Auckland Tobacco-producers' Federation. Mr. C. H. M. Wills, Dominion Tobacco-growers Federation, Ltd., and Tobacco-growers (N.Z.), Ltd. Mr. C. P. Lock, Tauranga Tobacco and Citrus Co., Ltd., and New Zealand Tobacco Federation. Mr. W. H. Owen, plantation-manager. (c) Representing Government Departments—• Dr. C. J. Reakes, Director-General of Agriculture. Dr. G. Craig, Comptroller of Customs. Mr. C. E. Lowe, Government Tobacco Instructor, Department of Agriculture. Mr. J. A. Campbell, Director of the Horticultural Division, Department of Agriculture. Mr. M. O'Brien, Department of Industries and Commerce. Mr. E. D. Good, Acting Comptroller of Customs. Mr. F. J. Brooker, Secretary, Stores Control Board. Mr. E. J. R. Cumming, Commissioner of Taxes.

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