L—9c.

10

.[P WILLS.

open until 7, our hands go out at 5, and why should the Chinese be allowed these two hours extra. The males in the large establishments cannot work after the females, and the Chinamen are doing female work chiefly 10. Mr. Eraser ] You said that you would wish to see a definition of " factory " for laundry purposes—that it should be " Every person who takes in washing for payment' ? —Every place. 11. How would that affect married women who took it into their own homes?—lt could not affect them at all. The registration is not a hardship. 12. I was going to show you that what you were asking for has a wider effect than you think. You wanted this provision that every place where either male or female took in. washing for payment should be deemed a " factory "? —Yes. 13. That would cause a married woman to be subject to all those hours and disabilities. Is that what you want?—l do not consider that, but Ido not see why they should not be restricted from working in their own homes the same as those in a factory I think it is far healthier to work in a large factory than in little stuffy rooms in their own houses. 14. It would affect women taking washing into their own homes?—To the extent of Is. per year. 15. But it would affect them?—l do not see that we can legislate for one without the other 16. Mr Luke.] How do your wages compare with the wages stated by Mr Tong—some £1 15s. a week, and good ironers £2 ?—There are none of our people under £2—and after forty-eight hours there is overtime. 17 I asked Mr Tong whether he reckoned the Chinese were on the same footing as the European wife and daughter Do you think that there should be any difference? —I think they should be all the same. 18. You think that the home should be subject to the Factories Act so long as they take in laundry-work for hire?—Certainly I think so. 19. Do you think there is any advantage in using machinery against Chinamen?—lt is certainly an advantage. 20. But it has other disabilities with it?—Yes, of course. 21 Has your experience been that the nature of the competition from Chinamen is harmful? As far as we are concerned it has not had much effect, but in the smaller places they feel it very severely. 22 You say there ought to be exemptions? What do you claim? —In regard to lighting fires, getting up steam, and cleaning the place. 23. And not be paid for as overtime? —Oh! to be paid for as overtime, but exempted from this clause. A laundry wants to be kept clean. 24. Mr McLaren.] With regard to cleaners and firemen, you do not ask that they should be employed for a greater total number of hours per week than the others? —No. I suppose a sweeper should be half or three-quarters of an hour longer, but, as for the others, it takes about an hour 25. Mr Hardy ] In regard to this list that has been put in : Do your prices compare favourably with this: "White shirts, 6d.; collared shirts, 7d."?—We do not charge 7d. for collared shirts. 26. You issue a price-list? —Yes. 27 Is there an agreement amongst the laundrymen generally as to their price?—No. 28. Is there any combination in the trade?—No. 29. You ask for certain exemptions in regard to firemen and cleaners would you not make an exemption for the poor woman with a starving family ?—I do not think that she would have any fires to keep up. 30. Supposing you had not been a man in large employment—that Providence had not favoured you, and that you had left a wife with some children, would you like her to be brought under this clause? —I think that might be left to the Inspectors. 31 Mr Luke ] Are not your people now exempt from cleaning out the factory?—The Act as it stands does not apply to males over eighteen years of age. 32. The only exemption now is in regard to getting up steam? —They can work the men. 33. So, is there # an allowance for the engineer? —Yes. 34. You want the same provision for the man who cleans out the factory?—But not for so long a time. 35. The Chinese Consul.] How many agencies do you employ?—One. I believe that is all. 36. Does he deliver after the shop-hours?—l do not know the hours, but he does it for a commission. William Pryor, Secretary of the Employers' Federation, further examined. (No. 6.) Witness: I wish to refer to a point I omitted when speaking before the Committee the other day, and which is, that if branding is made compulsory, tweeds and other stuff brought in under this'clause would have to be branded, when made into suits of clothes, &c, "Made in New Zealand," while, as a matter of fact, the material was not made in New Zealand. This material might be shoddy, and do some harm. lam speaking of made-up stuff, and I was asked particularly to bring this matter forward. Robert Hannah, boot-merchant, Wellington, examined. (No. 7 ) Witness: The first part I wish to deal with is the stamping of colonially manufactured boots and shoes. I have no hesitation in saying that the sale of the upper grades, in which we are endeavouring to compete with the imported article, would be affected by 50 per cent. Mr Luke You mean the better classes of goods?