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No. 33.—Petition of W. D. Taylor, Farmer, Mangatainoka, and Another. Praying for refund of portion of the duties paid in respect of the estate of the late Thomas Saunders, I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 10th October, 1940.

No. 124/1937. —Petition of F. G. Marshall, 31 Beaumont Road, Dunedin. Praying for inquiry into the conditions of employment of certain insurance canvassers. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th November, 1940.

No. 67.—Petition of Nada Lily Martin, 91 Nevay Road, Miramar, and 1,118 Others. No. 77.—Petition of R. Adams, 121 Ghuznee Street, Wellington, and 350 Others. Praying that Douglas Murdoch Martin be forthwith released from prison and that his sentence be commuted. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. In the opinion of the Committee prisoner should be released when he has served half his prison term, subject to his conduct in prison in the meantime being satisfactory and to his giving an undertaking to refrain from subversive actions during the remaining period of his sentence. 3rd December, 1940.

No. 24.—Petition of W. A. Sheat, Parmer, Egmont, and 949 Others. Praying for remission of heavy-traffic fees in respect of farmers' motor-trucks. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth December, 1940. A. H. Nordmeyer, Chairman.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that at its final meeting the Public Petitions M to Z Committee passed the following resolution: — That this Committee desires to record its appreciation of the capable manner in which the Clerk, Mr. M. S. Pasley, has discharged his various duties during the session ; and it also desires that this resolution shall be recorded on the minutes of the Committee and be reported to the House." oth December, 1940. I£. M. Macfarlane, for Chairman.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that at its final meeting the Public Petitions M to Z Committee passed the following resolution :— " That this Committee desires to record its appreciation of the care and ability with which the Chairman, Eev. Mr. Nordmeyer, has conducted the business of the Committee during the session ; and it also desires that this resolution shall be recorded on the minutes of the Committee and be reported to the House." oth December, 1940. W. S. Goosman, Member of the Committee.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Public Petitions M to Z Committee, consisting of ten members, has held eleven meetings during the session, the average attendance at each meeting being seven. The number of petitions referred to the Committee was sixteen, fourteen of which were considered and reported on to the House. Two petitions are held over until next session. sth December, 1940. jj Nordmeyer, Chairman.

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