1.—13.

Hire op Films Bill. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee an exhaustive inquiry into the Film Industry in all its bearings should be undertaken at the earliest possible date. That, in view of the amount of evidence offering and the limited time at the disposal of the Committee, it is impossible to undertake such inquiry during the present session. The Committee therefore recommends such inquiry be made by the Government, and, pending same, that the Hire of Films Bill be not allowed to proceed this session. 30th November, 1933.

No. 217.- —Petition of Associated Motorists Petrol Company, Limited, of Courtenay Place, Wellington; No. 218.—Petition of South Island (N.Z.) Motor Union, Incorporated, of Christchurch; No. 219. —Petition of The New Zealand Farmers' Union, Incorporated, of Wellington. Praying that legislation be enacted to provide for the fixation of prices of petrol with the intent to prevent unfair competition, or other action as may be advisable in the public interest. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion—(1) That the recent progressive fall in prices was due mainly to combination on the part of the major oil companies, with the object of crushing the Associated Motorists Petrol Company, Limited ; (2) that present selling-prices are uneconomic, and are likely to result in destroying competition among sellers, thus bringing about monopoly; (3) that such monopoly will probably result in substantially increasing prices to consumers ; (4) that in the public interest the petitions should be referred to the Government for immediate and most favourable consideration, with a recommendation that special legislation should be enacted to control selling-prices, or, in the alternative, that the powers provided in the Board of Trade Act, 1919, be invoked for that purpose. sth December, 1933.

No. 47. Petition of H. M. Mead, of Shannon, and 6 Others, and sixty-six Similar Petitions as per Schedule attached. Praying that action be taken under the Board of Trade Act, 1919, to establish fair trading-conditions in the retail tobacco trade, to develop the tobacco industry, and to protect consumers against monopoly prices. I am directed to report that, while unable to recommend the prayer of the petitioners to the Government for favourable consideration, the Committee recommends the Government to give favourable consideration for the removal of tobacco (including cigarettes and cigars) from the Schedule of the Commercial Trusts Act, 1910, provided the manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers enter into agreement safeguarding consumers.

Schedule.

13th December, 1933.

2

Petition. Petitioner. Petition. Petitioner. 48 Harris, L. G., and 10 others. j 100 | Feek, R. G., and 27 others. 49 Hyde, E., and 11 others. ! 101 ! Clowes, J., and 23 others. 62 Gardiner, K. C., and 22 others. 102 Adams, G. C., and 2 others. 63 Brown, C. D., and 59 others. { 103 McClymont, G„ and 45 others. 64 Simpson, J. H„ and 52 others. 104 I Asher, G., and 34 others. 65 Harvey, A., and 15 others. 109 1 Wilkinson, R. L. C. ( and 2 others. 66 Johnson, M. J., and 43 others. 110 Hoppy, R„ and 4 others. 67 Dye, F., and Sons, and 17 others. Ill Lister, J. C., and 9 others. 68 Edwards, W. R., and 106 others. 112 i MaeClure and MaeClure, and 26 others. 69 Andrews, A. S., and Sons, and 64 others. 113 j Cooper and Hesp, and 8 others. 70 Dolores, P., and 33 others. 114 Milnes, V. H„ and 79 others. 71 Harris, W. J., and 13 others. 115 ! Gillies, H., and 71 others. 79 Burns, W., and 57 others. 123 Collins, T., and 1 other. 80 Jensen, J., and Son, and 44 others. 124 Stowell, J. W„ and Sons, and 18 others. 81 White, 0. C., and 21 others. 125 Kinniburgh, A. E., and 36 others. 82 Feary, P. R., and 10 others. 133 Hamilton, W. K„ and 12 others. 83 Deere, J., and 15 others. 134 Armit, R„ and 118 others. 84 Turnbull, P. S., and 19 others. 135 Eccles Bros., and 17 others. 85 Kirby, W., and 34 others. 136 McDowell, J. A., and 6 others. 86 Richardson, R„ and 26 others. 137 Giorgi, L., and 28 others. 87 Jordin, J. L., and 7 others. 142 Fowkes, E., and 19 others. 88 Petehford, R. G., and 3 others. 162 Johnston, K„ and 17 others. 89 Walker, R., and Son, and 38 others. 163 Doig, J. A., and 36 others. 90 Priestnal, S. E., and 1 other. 164 1 Langmuir, W. R., and 12 others. 91 Penman, J. 165 ; Matheson's (Otautau), Limited, and 19 others. 92 Bainbridge, C„ and 12 others. 171 Lightfoot L. J., and 57 others. 93 Cleal, H. J., and 30 others. 172 | Brown, J. C., and 12 others. 94 Badcock, H. G., and 17 others. 173 ! Nunes, J., and 4 others. 95 Cock, L. L., and 9 others. 185 White, R., and Co., and 16 others. 96 Scrimshaw, A. A. H„ and 12 others. 188 Clark, H. J., and 25 others. 97 Mitchell, W. A„ and 8 others. 221 Edmonds, A. W„ and 12 others. 98 Haybittle, E. C., and 20 others. 222 Armit, R. W., and 37 others. 99 Betten, L. A., and 14 others. 223 Duncan, C. W„ and 33 others.