In 1902–04, Watkins was a member of the Royal Commission on the Bonuses for Manufactures Bill, which investigated the practicality of beginning iron works in Australia and possible industry incentives. In 1910, he was chairman of a parliamentary that visited the Territory of Papua to investigate issues around cheap imported labour and recommended that imported labour in Papua cease and local Papuan workers be employed instead.
From 1902 to 1904, Watkins was part of the Royal Commission on the Bonuses for Manufactures Bill, which examined the practicality of establishing iron works in Australia and potential industry incentives. In 1910, he chaired a parliamentary committee that visited Papua to look into labor issues involving cheap imported workers and recommended ending their use and hiring local Papuan workers instead.