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CXXX

Smith, A., Carrier, Christchurch (12/6/12 ; p. 93) — Prices of cartage decreased during recent years due to competition— Be motor traction and horse traction —Latter cheaper in every way up to five miles—No waste from competition—Wages and materials increased—Wages and hours quoted—Rents and taxes increased from £40 to £220—Increased luxury and increased standard of living back of agitation re high cost of living. Aitken, D. A., Assistant General Manager Union Steamship Company, Dunedin (7/6/12 ; p. 53) — Evidence confidential. E. Leather Goods. Wiseman, J. W., Wholesale and Retail Saddler, Auckland (26/6/12 ; p. 302)— 15 to 20 per cent, rise in cost of raw materials—Due to demand for hides in outside markets—Labour increased 15 to 20 per cent.—Free market for leather-buying—Boy-labour in short supply—Labour legislation beneficial—No appreciable effect on workers —Unfavourable towards export duty on hides. F. Medical Attendance. Goldstein, H., M.D., Auckland (27/6/12 ; p. 335)— Be payment for attendance on friendly societies' members—Rates have not increased—Running-expenses much increased in recent years— Re maternity charges—More disease and illness and appears to be increasing —Increases in rents per annum very striking—Working-classes more comfortable and independent— Children less healthy—Luxurious living responsible. Carter, A. M., Dentist, Auckland (27/6/12 ; p. 338)— Dentistry completely altered in twenty years—Prices are lower if anything—Standard of work better—Work of dental hospital explained— Be treatment of school-children—Children's teeth have become worse— —Due more to diet than climatic conditions. G. Single Tax. Withy, A., Journalist and Lecturer, Auckland (20/6/12 ; p. 218) — Parable on Customs taxation—Working-man's tax through Customs 3s. 6d. in the pound—Local-rating system on unimproved values—Effective in lowering wages and reducing number of nouses—Cost of production : tributes of landlord, rates, and taxes—Figures quoted—Land speculation and monopoly—Effect of land taxation of Id. in the pound—Table showing charges on imported goods from manufacturer to consrrmer. H. Tobacco. Aldous, George, Tobacconist, Wellington (9/7/12 ; p. 449) — No competition between tobacco-manufacturers—Tobacco trade controlled—Prices tariffed—Absolutely impossible to buy from outside manufacturers—Retail prices not increased much—Wholesale prices increased about 3d. per pound— Be weights stick tobacco. Barlow, H. H., Tobacco-merchant, Christchurch (11/6/12 ; p. 84) — No increase tobacco, &c. —Duty not altered last ten years—Now 3s. 6d. tobacco. 7s. cigars and cigarettes per pound—Poor man pays biggest duty—Advocates ad valorem duty—Retail profits small. SECTION IX.—GENERAL. A. General Evidence (covering numerous headings, mainly re rent, increased living-expenses, wages, cbuntry labour difficulty, workers' dwellings, rules of unions of employers, servant difficulty, Customs tariff, &c.) : Secretaries, workers' unions; journalist; married woman; land and commission agent; boardinghouse-keepers ; labourers ; carpenters ; Secretary for Labour ; domestic service ; tariff notes. A. General. Arns, F. W., Secretary, General Labourers' Union, Auckland (28/6/12 ; p. 350)- — Be farm labourers' conditions—lf wages and accommodation better and employment more regular, men would rush work—Rent question chief trouble—Average rent general labourers 14s. 6d.—Labour Department report read— Be slum conditions—Unionists not advised to shirk work. Davis, George, Secretary, Drivers' Union, Auckland (29/6/12 ; p. 356) — Re wages drivers—Struggle to live on earnings—Award rates 445., 485., and 505., according to number of horses— Re increased charges put on by employers— Re merchants and prosperity of grocery firms. Green, H., Representative, W r aterside Workers' Union, Auckland (25/6/12 ; p. 298) — Re food-prices generally—lncreases of cost detailed— Re bread, flour, potatoes, meat, bacon, milk, coal, &c.—Wholesale and retail prices coal quoted—Advocates municipal control of fish-market— Re bricks and increased cost of building—Land-values and rents, Auckland suburbs— Re wages brickyard employees, and output. Bagnall, H. N., Tea and Coffee Merchant, Auckland (27/6/12 ; p. 324)— Retail prices grocery, &c, 1894-98 and 1912—Prices practically same—Time-payment system commended Re Savings-bank deposits—Statistics given. Black, W. P., Journalist, Auckland (25/6/12 ; p. 231)— Increased cost of living due to waste in distribution—lncrease in land-values—Rent chief increase—Efficiency of labour—More discrimination used in selection of men for printing trade—Most men nowadays are efficient—lncreased cost of printing due to demand. Gibson, Emily, Married Woman, Auckland (21/6/12 ; p. 247) — Be house-rents—Doubled in twenty years—Prices of coal fixed by combine— Be fish, bread, bricks, drapery, groceries, and education— Be butter and milk prices. Nerheny, P. J., Contractor and Commission Agent, Auckland (28/6/12 ; p. 347) — Return re rents—lncreases not marked over twenty years—Labour cost of building—lncrease 10 per cent, in thirteen years—Men's efficiency not fallen off—Amendment of Arbitration Act suggested to regulate prices—Coal and firewood prices, 1899 and 1900— Be suburban-land values—Figures quoted.