2 MIM'TKS OF EVIDENCE TAKEN ItKFOHE THE SELECT COMMITTEE: 



MI-.M. j. ( s. AVha t amount would you suggest V -I feel it 

 my duty as an old feather buyer to assist Govern- 



niy u. 1907. men t and tlie country to suppress thefts, but I am 

 afraid a large increase in the licence fee will not 

 catch the thief. Personally, I may say, and it is- 

 also the feeling of the general public, that the 

 licence should be increased to a moderate sum 

 10 but not to any large extent. 



9. Are you in favour of allowing travellers to 

 purchase 'feathers, or would you advise that only 

 local feather buyers should be permitted to pur- 

 chase feathers in the district ? I am in favour of 

 free trade. Any person should be allowed to buy 

 so long as he conducts himself as an honest man, 

 and obeys the law. 



10. If a buyer at Port Elizabeth takes out a 

 licence for Port jllizabeth. would you be in favour 

 of allowing him to go over the whole Colony to buy 

 feathers on that licence, or would lie have to take 

 out another for each district ? Xo. the one licence 

 should be sufficient for all. as it will make com- 

 petition keener. 



11. Are you in favour of any buyer reporting 

 himself to any magistrate, police station or J.P. 011 

 liis arrival in any district ? Xo. I am opposed to 

 that, as it would impose unnecessary hardship, and 

 at the same time it would not suppress thieving or 

 be a check 011 the buying of stolen feathers. 



12. Mr. Dc j YilUers'} Are you in favour of a 

 "smouser" a pedlar of other goods having a 

 feather buyer's licence and buying feathers at the 

 same time ? Yes. I am in favour of that. It is 

 on account of these people that the ostrich feather 

 trade has reached its present important position. 



13. But they are the people who buy feathers 

 from coloured labourers and >; bywoners " and the 

 owner of the ostriches knows nothing about it ? 

 My opinion is that as long as a man conducts his 

 business in an honest and legitimate manner, and 

 keeps a register, it is beneficial for the producer as 

 well as the trade generally that lie should be 



