H.-18

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

WELLINGTON. Friday, 31st May, 1912. The members of the Commission met on Friday, 31st May, at the office of the Hon. the Minister of Labour (Mr. G. Laurenson), who welcomed the Commission, to Wellington, introduced the members and secretary to each other, and gave a general outline of the Government's wishes in regard to the Commission's work. The Hon. the Minister reported the resignation of Mr. John Ross, of Dunedin, from the Commission, and stated that Mr. Leadley, who had been appointed Chairman, would also be unable to attend the sittings for a fortnight. He, the Minister, had therefore decided to ask the Commission to appoint its own Chairman, and later he would advise the Commission as to the Government's intention in filling the vacancies.* The Minister and members of the Commission present —Messrs. Andrew Fairbairn, Edwin Hall, W. G. Macdonald, John Robertson, M.P., Edward Tregear, 1.5.0., and William A. Veitch, M.P. —met in room I l ', old Parliamentary Buildings, and Mr. Laurenson took the chair. On the motion of Mr. Fairbairn, seconded by Mr. Robertson, it was unanimously decided to appoint Mr. Tregear as Chairman. The Hon. Mr. Laurenson then withdrew from the meeting. After a short discussion it was resolved that the Commission leave for Christchurch the next day, proceed to Dunedin by the first express on Monday, and open its sittings at Dunedin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. After completing business at Dunedin, that Christchurch, Auckland, and Wellington be visited in turn. The secretary was instructed to telegraph to the following witnesses re giving evidence at the Dunedin sitting: President and secretary, Trades Council; secretary, Agricultural and Pastoral Association; agent, State Coal Depot; secretary, Employers' Association; secretary, Chamber of Commerce; provincial secretary, Farmers' Union; manager, Taieri and. Peninsula Dairy Company; fish-merchant, and secretary, Trawlers' Union; secretary, Tailoresses' Union; manager, Westport Coal Company. The Commission rose at 12.45 p.m. Saturday, Ist June, 1912. . The Commission met at II a.m., there being present Messrs. Tregear (Chairman), Hall, Macdonald, and Veitch. Questions in regard to procedure were discussed, and the Commission rose at 12.40 p.m.

DUNEDIN. Tuesday, 4th June, 1912. The Commission met at 11 a.m. at the Arbitration Court room, Supreme Court Buildings. All the Commissioners were present. The Commission was read by the Chairman. The Chairman announced that the proceedings would be open to the Press and the public. The following witnesses were examined on oath : Messrs. Steve Boreham, George Joachim, F. J. Sullivan, and M. O'Donnell. Wednesday, sth June, 1912. He Commission met at 10.30 a.m. at the Arbitration Court room. All the Commissioners were present. The following witness was examined on oath : F. J. Gunn. W. C. McGregor, barrister and solicitor, attended, and stated that the following witnesses had been advised by him not to give evidence, although subpoenaed to do so : Messrs. H. K. Wilkinson (representing Rattray and Co.), W. Scoullar and Co., R. Wilson and Co., Mackerras and Hazlett, and Neill and Co. The Commission adjourned at 11.20 a.m. to go into committee. The Commission resumed at 12.10 p.m. The following witnesses were examined on oath : John E. McManus, Francis Keenan, T. Scurr, R. W. Wilson, J. Ross, A. Mathewson.

* Mr. G. W. Leadley joined the Commission on the 17th June; Dr. James Hight on the 10th June.

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