5

i.—l 2

50. The Chairman.] Is the analyst always available for the purpose of verifying these things?—No; but under this Bill the defendant in any action may require the analyst to attend by giving notice. 51. In other respects you agree with Mr. Dick's recommendations ?—Yes ; I am prepared to accept Mr. Dick's recommendations. In regard to many of them, they were made in the draft Bill I prepared a few years ago, especially the section which deals with the production of two analysts' certificates before the Court instead of one, thus possibly saving the Court an unnecessary adjournment. If these two analysts' certificates are uniform, of course there is nothing more to be said. 52. Are there any materially new proposals in this Bill which you have not called attention to, and which you could give information upon to the Committee ?—Do you mean where it differs from the old Act ? 53. Yes—materially I mean? —-Yes ; there is the question of registering brands. In this Bill it provides that all manure shall be branded, and that such brand and the composition belonging to such brand be registered with the Secretary for Agriculture. In many cases, of course, it would be impossible to register a brand of a fertiliser sold, because the fertiliser was made up to the formula of a client. In that case it is provided here that the bags be tagged, so that the Inspector walking in to take a sample will see exactly what the composition of that fertiliser is from the statement on the tag. That was in my original draft, and was struck out. 54. You have said what you think necessary as to what is new and material in this Bill?— Yes. 55. Hon. Mr. McLean.] Supposing a farmer orders a certain mixture, what would be the effect of one ingredient on another —-might it not alter the analysis altogether ?—That is only in a case where superphosphate is mixed with other fertilising ingredients. In that case the superphosphate reverts to a more insoluble form—that is, insoluble in water. 56. Beferring to the ten days within which a buyer can get a sample taken : you propose an amendment in that. Would it not be better if he should have a sample taken when the stuff is delivered? The analysis given then would probably be better than one given ten days after?— You are thinking of the changing of the composition ? 57. Yes?—We are not taking any notice of the reverted form of superphosphate in this Bill. I propose that we take no notice of it, and chat will do away with your objection. The vendor will only get credit for what is soluble and what is insoluble phosphate. There will be no half-way course, as suggested by Mr. Dick. 58. Hon. Mr. A. Lee Smith.] Do you think the interpretation of "vendor" should include every person who sells a brand of manure ? Suppose I import a lot of manure of. a good quality and my neighbours want to buy some of it from me, am I supposed to have a certificate ?—lf you sell more than 2 cwt. you are; you will be acting as a vendor then under the Bill. 59. Supposing I am not in business, but I have facilities for getting a good brand from Home on good terms—say, I get 10 tons and do not want all of it myself and my neighbours want some of it: have Ito get the certificate and go to the trouble of registration ?—Section 2of the Bill says, " ' Vendor' means any person who, either on his own account or on behalf of any other person, sells in the ordinary course of his business any fertiliser." The case you quote would not be in the ordinary course of your business. A person may combine with others and send Home for a cask of whiskey, and he is not therefore an hotelkeeper, and has not committed a breach of the Licensing Act. 60. Hon. Sir W. J. Steward.] Section 3, subsection (2), paragraph (b) : Mr. Dick recommended the Committee to strike out the words " phosphoric anhydride " and " dipotassic oxide " and put in the words " pure potash." You want to distinguish between these terms and "pure potash" ?—The terms are explained. " Dipotassic oxide "is an unambiguous term. 61. Mr. T. Mackenzie.] The point I would like to get clear on is in clause 5, as to whether the brand of analysis placed on manures at Home is not to be used here by the New Zealand sellers. That is to say, you referred to Lawes's superphosphates coming here with a guarantee of 35 per cent, to 37 percent. : is not that brand to be sold here, or is a new brand to be put on by the persons selling it ? —Not necessarily. If the seller gets Lawse's superphosphate to mix with another manure, then he should place his own brand on it; but if he is going to sell Lawes's superphosphate there is no objection to Lawes's brand being registered with the Secretary for Agriculture. Then he can sell it as he receives it, and take the responsibility. 62. Supposing a person is importing from three different manufacturers, must he register their brands out here? —It is quite optional whether he registers their brands or brands of his own, provided he registers the composition. 63. Let us assume a merchant—say, located in Falmerston, in Otago—orders from Home— from Mr. Lawes, if you like—l,ooo tous of superphosphates: is he at liberty to send instructions to the ship's side to have that manure sent direct from the ship's side—some of it, say, to Hampden— without any interference with the brand on the bag?— Yes, if the brand is registered. 64. But suppose it is not registered ? —He ought to register it and put the brand on the bag, so as to trace its origin. 65. Mr. Lawes would require to register here, then? —His agent or the importer would. 66. Has Lawes an agent here? —There may be several agents buying the same brand and working independently of each other. 67. Have you in the interests of the farmers or agriculturists studied the best proportions, say, of superphosphate—have you considered the different percentages that have been arrived at in this country of manures sold to the farmers ?—Of course, the higher the percentage of soluble superphospate the more benefit to the land.