H.—lB.

CXXXII

Cowper, R. E., Representative, General Labourers' Union, Christchurch (14/6/12 ; p. 143) — Re pelt-workers and wages —Output increased by 40 per cent., wages 22-1 per cent.—General labourers' conditions —Average earnings—-Right to Work Act advocated—State farms also— Re technical training of unskilled workers—Taxation of economic rent urged. Hunter, H., Representing Canterbury Drivers' Union, Christchurch (17/6/12 ; p. 172) — Award wages quoted—Wages in 1900 and 1902 considerably lower than in 1912—Very few drivers receivingmore than minimum wage—Present average earnings Bd. per hour only—Employers raised charges— Rates given—Workers efficient—Country workers' accommodation—lf conditions made better, workers would prefer country work —Suggests giving workers 10 acres of land and home—Casual workers' conditions in the city not improved over fifteen years—Quarry-owners in combination—Prices are uniform. Murphy, M., ex-Secretary, Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Christchurch (13/6/12 ; p. 128)— Prices of commodities quoted over series of years—Methods of living compared—Present rate of living extravagant— Re workers' dwellings for farm labourers—Scheme suggested—Country life should be made more attractive. Page, S. S., Married Woman, Christchurch (10/6/12 ; p. 72)— Cost of living increased considerably, especially necessities—Milk, butter, meat, woollen goods, rent, boots, education, attendance —Believed in co-operation, especially working land on co-operative system. Sullivan, D. G., President, Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, Christchurch (13/6/12 ; p. 125) — Household items (various), 1893 to 1912—Prices quoted—Workers are speeded up, and require higher standard of comfort—Development of machinery and scientific management requires more energy on part of workers —Confident that cost of living increased in Christchurch—Specially affects low-paid unskilled labour —Their condition during winter deplorable—Lack of organization affects their advancement— Re country work—Conditions not attractive enough—City life preferred—Skilled and unskilled workers' wages compared—Gap greater in England than New Zealand— Re statistics—Better data wanted— State competition necessary to reduce cost of living—Whole of people would benefit instead of few. Taylor, Mrs. E. 8., Secretary, Creche and Kindergarten Association, Christchurch (10/6/12 ; p. 74) — Prices had gradually increased during past twenty years—Particularly bread, butter, meat, potatoes, milk, bacon, and cheese—Boots, woollen clothing, drapery, &c, also increased in cost—Girls should be compelled to learn domestic science. Wells, Ada, Married Woman, Christchurch (10/6/12 ; p. 72) — Prices of mutton, beef steak, butter, milk, fish, boots, coal, potatoes, bread, fruit, and vegetables all increased in price last twenty years —Standard of living improved—Nursing expenses increased—Education dearer —Domestic-science course should be made compulsory in public schools—Advocates State market for fish, meat, &c. Wilson, Mrs. A. E., Married Woman, Christchurch (10/6/12 ; p. 67)— Household expenses five heads—Weekly cost £2 9s. 9d.—Fruit dearer—How household budgets were obtained. Boreham, Steve, Labourer, Dunedin (4/6/12 ; p. 1) — Re meat, butter, clothing, coal, fish, rent, and wages. Breen, Robert, Union Secretary, Dunedin (7/6/12 ; p. 48) — Representative Trades arrd Labour Council— Be increases of wages to unionists—Meat slaughtered 19.10-11 —Carters' wages, waiters, cooks, &c.—Rents, milk, and bread. Ford, M. J., Journalist, Invercargill (6/6/12 ; p..36)— Member United Labour Party— Be Housewives' Union and milk, meat, &c.—Bread and coupon system— Bakers in combination—£2s bond— Be co-operative workers and prices—Ames shovels—Rents increased 30 per cent.—Land syndicates. Lowrie, Alex., Journalist, Invercargill (6/6/12 ; p. 34) — Be rents—lncreased considerably—Groceries increased 10 to 15 per cent, during ten years— Be potatoes, meat, coal, all increased—Coal-merchants' Association a combine—Milk—Fruit—Fish—Land-values—Rural increased 100 per cent. MacManus, J. E., Labourer, Dunedin (5/6/12 ; p. 14)— Increased land-values—Food-prices 1900, 1910, Year-book—Meat-prices 1910, 1912—Furniture, coal, timber, wool, milk, &c. O'Donnell, M., Furniture-dealer, Dunedin (4/6/12 ; p. 9) — Produce (potatoes, onions) —Furniture—Time-payment—Rents. Paul, J. T., M.L.C., Journalist, Dunedin (7/6/12 ; p. 43)— Evidence on behalf Trades and Labour Council— Be wasteful distribution—Milk—Competition means waste— Prices are fixed by product of least efficient machinery—Board of prices should be set up—Appreciation of prices through gold-production—Clothing-manufacturing—lncreased wages—lncreased production— Page 46 Coghlan's statistics, a correction. Warren, W. H., Carpenter, &c, Dunedin (7/6/12 ; p. 51)— Increase of land-values—lncrease in seven years in sections, Anderson's Bay, £40 to £150—Due to tram-con-struction arrd provision of public utilities. Tooley, A. G., Caretaker, Grammar School, Auckland (27/6/12 ; p. 325) — Be purchasing fruit at auction—Condition of fruit varies—" Topping " practised—Present price of apples— Saving by buying at auction equals several shillings weekly—Cost of living increased generally—Bread, butter, milk, increased in price. Mitchell, Jane, Officer in Charge Women's Branch, Labour Department, Christchurch (13/6/12 ; p. 128)— Be servants' wages —Doubled during last twenty years—Great scarcity of domestics— Be immigration—Rates from Great Britain—Work of British Women's Association. MacLaurin, E. T. W., Customs Officer, Christchurch (14/6/12 ; p. 164)— Be tariff and duties on various goods— i.e., slippers, boots, lining-felt, candles, paraffin wax, and stearine.