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.
In both instances, Watkins was involved with royal commissions or parliamentary committees examining industrial feasibility and labor practices in Australia. In 1902–04, he focused on iron works and industry incentives; in 1910, his committee investigated labor issues related to Papua.