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surface—except by filing a dispute before the Court. Apart from the time wasted, it surely was not intended to put unions and employers to the expense of filing disputes, summoning witnesses, &c, in a ease where no disputes existed. We sincerely hope that the honourable House will remove the anomaly which I have mentioned. J. Hollows, Secretary.

From the Trades and Labour Council, Auckland At a meeting of the above Council, held last evening, I was instructed to forward to you the following resolution: "That this Council heartily approves of the principles contained in the proposed amendment to the Industrial and Conciliation Act, but would recommend that the word " fifty," in line 14 of the Bill, be altered to read " one hundred " ; also that provision be made for the inclusion of employers not cited when an award is applied for. F. Reeves, Secretary.

From the Southland Timber-yards and Sawmillers' Industrial Union op Workers, Invercargilt.. I have the honour, by direction of the above union, to bring under your notice suggestions made at our last meeting in response to the invitation now that the proposed amendments to the Arbitration Act are being considered by your Committee. We feel sure that if same are given effect to it will be for the better working of the Act. Resolution 1: " That the union respectfully urges upon the Government, through the Labour Bills Committee, the necessity of having all bleaches of awards heard by Stipendiary Magistrates, who shall not be able to fix a penalty of more than £50; also that section 75, 'Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1900,' be also included —viz., ' Any party to the proceedings before the Court may appear personally or by agent or with the consent of all the parties, by counsel or solicitor, and may produce before the Court such witnesses, books, and documents as such parties think proper.' " My union are unanimous in the opinion that if section 75 is not inserted it will mean the stringing-out of cases and an endless amount of trouble and expense with solicitors; therefore, we trust that this matter will be given earnest consideration by your Committee. Resolution 2: " That the Government, through the Labour Bills Committee, amend the Arbitration Act by the insertion of a section giving preference of employment to unionists." Resolution 3: "That a clause or section be inserted to provide that proper accommodation be provided for sawmill-workers in the bush districts of the colony for the comfort and health of the workers; the Inspectors of Awards or Jailores to have power to enforce same, under similar conditions as ' The Shearers' Accommodation Act, 1898.' " At the present time many of the sawmillers' huts are not fit for human habitation, and in the interests of public health it is essential for some action to be taken. Trusting these matters will receive due consideration. Arthur A. Paape, Secretary.

From the Trades and Labour Council, Reefton. In reply to your telegram of to-day's date, I have to inform you that my Council strongly approves of the Bill introduced by the Premier to amend " The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1900," to empower Magistrates to adjudicate on breaches of awards and industrial agreements. We would also urge on the Committee the necessity of recommending that the principal Act be amended by deleting all the words after the word " union " in second line of subsection (1) of section 98, and by repealing section 99. We would urge that a resolution of a special general meeting of the union should be sufficient for the purpose of referring a dispute to the Board or Court, without the necessity of taking a ballot of the members of the union, or without the necessity of posting a notice to each member of the union. Henry Betts, Secretary.

From the Nelson Trades and Labour Council. I have to acknowledge receipt (on the 9th August) of your memorandum dated the 2nd instant, with which you enclosed copies of new clauses proposed to be inserted in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill, now before your Committee. The Nelson Trades and Labour Council held a special meeting last evening to consider the clauses, and passed the following resolution :— fs< " Resolved, That the Nelson Trades and Labour Council are of the opinion that the proposed new clauses in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill, now before the Labour Bills Committee of the House of Representatives, if passed into law, will tend to the better and smoother working of the Act generally." Robert H. Simpson, Secretary.

From the Auckland Trades and Labour Council. Trades Council considered proposed amendments Arbitration Act. Consider them desirable. Reeves, Secretary.