140

H.-2

192. Did you continue in the employment or not ?—lt was a month after when I was ejected from the committee meeting. Another meeting was called a month later, and I was dispensed with—the managing committee would not sit with me because I belonged to the other union which had been formed. We had our rules of that union printed and registered, and I happened to appear in the book of rules as president of that union. Mr. Lambie, as chairman, said I was not worthy to sit in the same company as them. 193. The Chairman.] You will be very careful about this?—l am quite careful, and lam quite satisfied that it is correct. I applied for work afterwards. I got none. It is not general to ask for work at Lyttelton. You are generally called up; but when I was without work for three weeks, and I asked if it was a boycott on account of this, they said, " No; we have no work you can do." 194. Are you still a member of the Wharf-labourers' Association ?—I claim to be a member, but I am unfinancial. 195. Hon. Major Steward.] How long had you been a member of this outside association before you were dismissed from the Lumpers' Association ?—I was a member before it was registered. 196. Then, you were, perhaps, one of the promoters? —Yes ; ?nd the employers' committee got a copy of the rules in April, but the society was not registered until June. 197. How are the men engaged for work at Lyttelton ?—When a vessel comes in the agents send to the stevedoring office and say, We want twenty or ten men, as the case may be. Mr. Barnes sends his clerk out, and the men are picked from the crowd on the wharf. Some of the companies nominate men of their own. 198. Then, there is possible favouritism, inasmuch as Mr. Barnes can give the work to whom he pleases?— Yes; that exists at the present time. 199. There is nothing done in the way of a sytem of rota, giving each man his turn at employment?—No; there is a certain class belonging to a certain clique who get the majority of the work. If they are idle at all they are put on. 20.0. The .Chairman.] In regard to the benefit society itself, have you anything to say against the provisions for sick benefit or anything of that kind ? —No; I have no objection to the accident allowance. 201. Do you not think it is a rather beneficial thing?—lt is beneficial to the men; but it is the system of nominating the managing committee, and the powers and control that the employers have over the men, that I object to. 202. Mr. Fisher.] Eule 2 says, " This association is established for the purpose of promoting harmony between employers of labour and workmen in Lyttelton, for preventing strikes and lockouts, for securing freedom of contract, and for general co-operation in the best interests of all connected with the trade of Lyttelton." And you tell us that because you wished tc have this society registered, in order that you might take advantage of the provisions of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, which was specially designed to prevent strikes, you were asked to leave the service ?—I was not asked to leave; I was not asked to work. I had to walk about. 203. Did you tell us, or did my ears deceive me, that Mr. Lambie told you you were not worthy to sit in the room with them ?—He said he would not sit with any member of a registered union. Frederick Henry Barnes was examined on oath. 204. The Chairman.] What is your business? —lam shipping agent, and secretary of the Canterbury Stevedoring Association. 205. You have been in Lyttelton in that occupation for some years ?—Six years last December. 206. Was the Lyttelton Lumpers' and Wharf-labourers' Association formed during the time you held office?— Yes; formed shortly after I went down there. 207. What is the effect of the forming of that association, in your opinion?—lt was formed after the time of the strike, and the men thought they would like to have such a society in order to create a sick fund in case of accident or illness. 208. You tell us that the idea of forming the association came from the men?— Well, I do not know; I would not say that. It was a joint society, formed by the men and employers together. There was a meeting of the two bodies. 209. The employers offered to subsidise the association to a certain extent ?—Yes ; the rules provide for that. 210. This subsidy has been continued ?—Yes ; from year to year. 211. The subsidy is some one-fifth of the whole income?—lt varies, of course, with the profits of the year. Anything over the 6 per cent, which goes in writing off a certain amount for wear-and-tear of plant goes to the men. 212. What is the representation that the Stevedoring Association has on the committee ?—They have four members. 213. And the president ?—The four members include the chairman. 214. I think, if you look at the rules, you will find it is different ?—There are less directors now than when those rules were confirmed. 215. Then, these rules which have been put in are not the actual rules of the association ?— They are the rules we work under, but the number of the directors of the Canterbury Stevedoring Association has been reduced. For instance, Mr. Leonard Harper retired, Mr. Cunningham is dead, and, instead of having eight directors, we have only got six. I know there are not four members who attend the meetings of the Lyttelton Lumpers' and Wharf-labourers' Association. 216. And the men's representatives?— There are four members and secretary and treasurer. 217. Have the two latter officers a vote? —I do not think they have; there are only four. 218. What is the process that is gone through if a man wishes to get work loading or unloading ships in Lyttelton?—He has to apply to belong to the association.