H.—lB.

CXXXI

Long, Thomas, Secretary Workers' Union, Auckland (27/6/12 ; p. 329) — Rents chief burden— Re coal and retail prices, 1904 and 1912—Coal-dealers Association close corporation— Wages of brewers and aerated-water employees inadequate to live upon— Re scarcity of labour on farms —-Poor accommodation, long hours, and wages low responsible. Peacock, G. L., Land and Estate Agent, Auckland (25/6/12 ; p. 294) — House-rents increased in urban and suburban areas considerably—Causes of same—State control of coal-supply urged—General standard of living increased —Education costs less than formerly—lncreased cost of farming land has not influenced food-prices—London market fixes prices—Effect of Advances to Workers Act has been to increase selling-values—Farmers paying too much for land—Really working for the landlord—Tenants depending on good times solely— Be rating of unimproved values. Phelan, E., General Secretary, Timber Workers' Union, Auckland (24/6/12 ; p. 283) — Workers' wages increased 6 percent, in ten years—Worst paid in New Zealand—Accommodation provided at sawmills very poor— Better methods of dealing with timber at mill—Cost of getting timber from bush, &c. Figures quoted on 40,000 ft. output—Kauri royalties—Men more efficient—Large percentage paid over award rates—Price of timber regulated by association of timber-merchants—Land more valuable cleared than timbered. Richardson, W., Journalist, Auckland (27/6/12 ; p. 337) — Grocery lines never cheaper—Wheat-growing going out—Gambling evil rife—Smokers extravagant—Drinking and love of pleasure increasing—Thriftiness declining—Workers dodging work. Rosser, A., Workers' Union Secretary, Auckland (24/6/12 ; p. 286) — Increased cost of living due mainly to rent-charges—Practice of employers increasing cost of goods afterawards given criticized—lnstances cited re drivers and brickmakers, &c.—Merchants (grocery) in combination—Prices fixed for eggs, butter, &c., by newspaper announcements—Taniwha soap —Scott's Emulsion and other " scaled " lines—Names of merchants given who control eggs and butter prices-— Return re wages and rents paid in June, 1912—Land-values responsible for high rents—Work of co-opera-tive bakery—Scarcity of labour in country districts—Causes and remedies. Whitehead, W. H., Boardinghouse-keeper, Auckland (28/6/12 ; p. 353) — Cost of foodstuffs increased over sixteen years—Fish-prices controlled—Not dearer than formerly—Vegetables dearer, but potatoes fluctuate—Rates increased from 15s. to 18s. and 20s. for boarders—Profits not increased. Greville, F. W. 8., Editor, New Zealand Dairyman, Wellington (9/7/12 ; p. 447) — Three main causes for increased cost of living—Causes detailed— Be short weight in packed goods—lncreases in land-values, instances cited—Losses on butter through ignorance—-Butter and cheese prospects— Articles weighed net and gross weight. Gwillim, W. E., Dairy-produce Grader, Wellington (10/7/12 ; p. 469) — Be weights of butter purchased locally—Butter tested for moisture-contents—Weights of candles tested with and without packing. Fairway, James, ex-Restaurant-keeper, Wellington (10/7/12 ; p. 468) — Food articles increased in cost last six years—ltems given—Rent increased 50 per cent.—Fish and oysters much dearer. Goddard, T. 8., Labourer, Wellington (6/7/12 ; p. 429)— Rent most marked increase— Be prices of land and State coal—General opinion given only. Howard, C. W., Market-gardener, Wellington (3/7/12 ; p. 386)— Be auction prices for market-garden supplies—Non-payable industry. Lomas, John, Secretary for Labour, Wellington (5/7/12 ; p. 414)- — Be employers' unions and rules fixing prices—Sample rule read—Sedgwick scheme successful on the whole— Concession of 25 per cent, to workers proceeding to work by rail—Present position Workers' Dwellings Act explained—Houses erected and ruling rents. Maddison, W., Carpenter, Wellington (3/7/12 ; p. 370)— Hospital returns re food-cost—Comparison with Labour Department figures—Mr. Justice Higgins's definition of living standard—ltems necessary to provide decent living—Efficiency and driving of workers—Overcompetition and effect on prices—Rents—Average return of 100 workers—Causes of high rents—Landvalues and unearned increment—The profits of bank institutions and Stock Exchange. Reardon, M. J., Union Secretary, Wellington (3/7/12 ; p. 387)— Scarcity of country labour—Delusion and a snare—Casual labourers' conditions—Rent main burden—Organization of work for casual labour—Extension of technical education—Food-qualities and short weights. Young, W. T., Secretary Seamen's Union, Wellington (9/7/12 ; p. 450) — Wages returns compiled from Year-book 1892 to 1909—Prices of provisions—Wages of seamen and overtime —Retirrn re s.s. "Maori" re fares—Effect of recent increase of 5 per cent.—Union Company's profits Be butter and operation of ring—Coal prices—Marine freights on same—Advocated State steamer service and trade—Factory statistics quoted 1896, 1906, and 1911—Brick prices, Sydney prices compared— Workers' families feeling pinch of high prices—Taxation on food on family incomes unfair— Be " Lusitania " royalties—Flour trusts—Rents in Wellington enormous. Andersen, J. C, Civil Servant, Christchurch (13/6/12 ; p. 130) — Statistical information supplied re wages over eighteen years compiled from Government returns—Returns re imports and exports—Houses (size and occupation of) were also put in. Britten, F. G. M., Surgeon, Christchurch (10/6/12 ; p. 61)— Re prices at Te Puke—Bread, meat, and steamer freights—land-values increased 80 to 100 per cent. Campbell, H. A., Representative, Canterbury General Labourers' Union, Christchurch (12/6/12 ; p. 101)— Increased prices due entirely to land-speculation— Re land-prices in Taranaki—9o per cent, of farms mortgaged—Re land speculators and State interference— Re labour difficulty on farms—Lack of suitable accommodation the chief difficulty. Cardale, E. J. N., Secretary, Coal and Blanket Fund, Christchurch (10/6/12 ; p. 66)— Cost of blankets varied very little—Cost of coal increased steadily—Bread, potatoes, meat, boots, milk, and drapery have all increased in price.