CXXVII

H.—lB.

Cuddie, D., Director, Dairy-produce (Agricultural Department), Wellington (4/7/12 ; p. 397) — Re dairying industry—-Factory system responsible for development of trade and better produce—Low prices not likely to recur—Demand for milk and butter increasing all over world—European demand increasing enormously—Figures re Germany—High land-values increase cost of production—Farmers not making much profit—Local prices of butter not likely to be lower—Unless land-values decline there will not be much decrease in cost of production—lmprovement of dairy herds necessary Would ensure high return to farmers with lower price to consumers— Re salted butter— Re butter-fat tests—Average production 180 lb. to 185 lb. fair estimate—Cost of keeping cows £8 per head on £30 land-value— Re labour shortage —Export of butter and prices obtained—Dairy cows in 1910 total 800,000 — Be duty and its abolition. Jack, E. C, Secretary Farmers' Union, Wellington (5/7/12 ; p. 420)— Farm labourers' conditions much improved—Wages increased 20 per cent.—Cost of boots and rents of workers increased in country—Serious aspect of labour-shortage—Lessor production of foodstuffs—lmmigration advocated—Average wages paid in rural industry—Return on capital decreasing—Land and high prices—Taxation would lower wages—Fertility of land showing backward tendency. Schmitt, A., Secretary, Farmers' Union, Auckland (24/6/12 ; p. 280)— Land-values increased 50 to 100 per cent, in ten years—Labour-conditions—Shortage of farm labour—Scheme of small hamlets suggested—Farmer's return on potato crop— Be egg-market and misleading quotations of merchants—Butter-market controlled by same merchants—Produce-auctioneering rates—Valuation of land—Allowance for improvements inadequate—itle wages and general conditions of farm workers. Hunt, A. Leigh, Manager, Farmers' Distributing Company, Wellington (5/7/12 ; p. 421) — Return over twelve years of prices of potatoes, onions, cheese, butter, &c.— Be bacon shrinkage—Fruitprices not increased—Auction buying free and open—Vegetable prices at auction—Public-market buying not likely to be successful—People will not carry parcels—Fastidiousness in buying butter, potatoes, &c. —Board and lodging cost not increased—Fare improving and charges low—Cost of living increased generally last ten years—Entirely due to higher standard of living—Rents have increased but food-cost increased little if at all—Clothing increased—Tobacco and short weights—Union Steamship Company a monopoly—Kerosene reduced in price—Steps necessary to reduce cost of living—Views outlined. Carmody, D., Inspector of Factories, Wellington (4/7/12 ; p. 396) — Farm accommodation— Re shearers' and farm labourers' accommodation—Complaints of farmers well founded —Some quarters provided very bad—Room for good deal of improvement—Had Dominion experience —Lack of good accommodation responsible for disinclination of men to accept farm-work—With married couples no children preferred—Canterbury conditions better than other districts. Hagger, W. H., Officer, Labour Department, Christchurch (14/6/12 ; p. 152) — Re farm labourers' accommodation—ln many instances insufficient and unsatisfactory—Conditions required to tempt workers from the cities—lnsufficient accommodation described. Kennedy, E., Secretary, Canterbury Farm Labourers' Union, Christchurch (13/6/12 ; p. 129) — Re farm labourers— Re farm-labour shortage—Bad accommodation and low wages responsible—Fair employers have no difficulty in getting men—Hours of labour and working-conditions—Reasons for preferring town life—Prospects of getting land at reasonable rates remote— Be State farming and putting produce on market at cost price— Be Agricultural and Shearers' Accommodation Act. Bray, W. 8., Apiarist, Christchurch (10/6/12 ; p. 74)— Re honey—Prices of honey not risen—All primary products have risen in price—Wholesale trading methods clumsy—Prices of honey, wholesale and retail—State should run retail shop—Output of honey, 1910 and 1911—Cost of production of honey. SECTION VII.—DOMESTIC SCIENCE; POLITICAL ECONOMY; STATISTICAL. A. Domestic Science : Technical-school instructors. B. Political Economy : Political economists (five). C. Statistical : Government Statistician; Chief Clerk, Labour Department. A. Domestic Science. George, George, Director Technical School, Auckland (26/6/12 ; p. 321) — Re cost of education, books cost 30s. first year— Re uniforms—Domestic science course explained—Operatives show less efficiency than formerly—Grading of workmen suggested—Advocates partial free-trade and open market. Howell, J. H., Director, Christchurch Technical College, Christchurch (13/6/12 ; p. 140) — Re domestic training—Eighty girls under training, fourteen to seventeen years—Girls do all housework— Special attention given to cost of cooking by gas and coal—Creche to be established later—Girls are taught mending and making of clothes, and to discriminate between qualities of articles—Fees charged very moderate—Full course takes three years. B. Political Economy. Jolly, F. L. G., Bank Clerk (B. Com.), Christchurch (18/6/12 ; p. 196) — Cost of living last fifteen years—Measurement cost of living—Fluctuation in level of prices—lnfluence of accumulation of gold—Rise of credit—lndex numbers of cost of living—Graph showing comparative fluctuations of prices of commodities, &c.—Actual cost of living to consrrmer difficult to estimate—Deficiency of New Zealand statistics—Mathematical calculation supports deductive inquiry—lndex number taken from analysis Year-book, figures 1896 to 1910—1896 year equals 100 index numbers for years up to 1910 given (124-5) —List of trades included—Difficulty of estimating actual wages of tradesmen from Year-book figures—Effect of overtime payment—Doctor Mcllraith's index number 1896 is equal 96 for commodities and general, witness's index number for 1896 equals 100 for purchasing-power of wages— Combination index numbers for years 1896 and 1910, graph illustrating this put in—Fluctuations in rate of interest not plotted on graph—lnfluences on prices world-wide—Tendency of fluctuations in wages to lag behind those of prices and vice versa —Present prices of commodities highest since 1883—Reference to Hooker's article published by Royal Statistical Society—New Zealand prices not yet responded to world-wide rise—Probability of fall in prices followed by drop of wages—Effect of fluctuations the difference between bank deposits and advances—Steady increase of index number of purchasing-power of wages —Complaint of increased cost of living indicates that standard of living has increased—Difficulty of comparing rents fifteen years ago and to-day—Alterations in Customs duty not taken into account— Dr. Mcllraith's numbers sole basis—Exhibit 4 (graph) showing increased prices in New Zealand has been less than in any other country—Effect of appreciation of gold on cost of living—Extent of Written replies submitted, headed " What effect, if any, has the value of gold had on cost of living ? " " What effect has the accumulation of large fortunes on the purchasing-power of wages ? "■