EL—lB.

22

[r. W. WILSON.

-43. Confining their export trade to the members of the association ?—Quite so. A few retailers have tried at different times by writting to the Home manufacturer to bring out a line of goods, and they simply referred us to the Merchants' Association. 44. Mr. Macdonald.] When did this association begin its operations,?— They have been gradually increasing within the last ten years, and it seems to be getting worse every year now. During the last five years it has got more acute so far as we are concerned. There is hardly a line that is not " tariffed," as we call it. 45. Mr. Robertson.] Ten years ago it was not so well organized as now ?—Quite so. 46. Mr. Macdonald.] And it is increasing the efficiency of its organization now ?—Yes. 47. Mr. Fairbairn.] In connection with fish—fresh herrings, kippered herrings, &c.—is the duty equivalent to about 80 per cent. ? If that duty were removed, and fresh herrings were sold at 4d. or 4|d. a tin, would that gradually increase the sale of tinned fish ?—Yes ; any line that is brought cheap to people you will sell double or perhaps three times the quantity of. 48. The Chairman.] Have you any statement that you would like to make to the Commission which has not been* suggested by the questions which have been asked ? —No ; as far as my business is concerned, that is about the only thing I could give you information about —these tariff lines, and the " corner " of goods in, that way. 49. Mr. Fairbairn.] Is it to the interest of the trade that free competition should exist in regard to Buying conditions ? Would that not benefit the trade generally, and enable you to sell cheaper to the public ? —Of course it would. It would enable a man who wanted to conduct his business on proper lines to give the public a reasonably cheap article. I think it would be better for everybody. The retailer would get his money in better, and I do not think there would be the same trouble if a man could buy- in the open market as he ought to do. 50. Mr. Veitch.] You mean, if he could give better value, your accounts would come in better ?— Yes. It was not so bad until five years ago ; but things are getting so bad now that a man with small wages can hardly exist—he cannot live. 51. The Chairman.] Could you give us a comparative statement in writing of the prices of goods with which you are acquainted —five years ago and ten years, ago and the present prices ?—Yes, I think I can do so. John Ross, Clothing-manufacturer, examined on oath. (No. 10.) 1. The Chairman.] You have been a manufacturer here for many years, Mr. Ross ?—Yes, for about thirty years I think. I think we commenced manufacturing in 1879. 2. We thought that you might tell us if there has been any increase in the cost of the goods that you manufacture —during the last twenty years —say, comparing ten years and ten years of the twenty. Should you think that the cost of clothing to the general public as manufactured by you has risen very much during, Day, the last ten years ?—Yes, the cost of clothing has risen somewhat during the last twenty years. lam speaking now of clothing apart from all our own manufactures. Our manufactures are principally underclothing. Of course, we manufacture men's clothing as well. Piece-goods are now very much about the same —perhaps a little more than they were twenty years ago ; but there have been fluctuations, depending- on the price of wool. That makes a difference ; but at the present time most of our manufactures are higher than they were twenty years ago. 3. The selling-value to the public ? —Yes, the selling-value to the public of made-up goods is probably from 10 to 20 per cent, higher. 4. Mr. Fairbairn.] Of all textiles ?—Yes, I am speaking of textiles ; but the greater part of the increase is in wages. Wages have advanced more than the cost of the goods apart from that. 5. More than the raw material ? —Yes. 6. To what extent has the advance in wages increased the cost ?—I could not say. I have been living in London during the greater part of the period to which your Commission refers, so that I am not quite conversant with that point. 7. The Chairman.] It would be difficult to dissect from, year to year as to the cost of wages ?—I dare say it could be done. It has not come before me. I could not give evidence about it. 8. Mr. Fairbairn.] Is there anything in the nature of an understanding between manufacturers in New Zealand in respect of prices in the clothing trade —between the different mills ? —There was an association of manufacturers in existence for several years, but that was broken up about two or three years ago. There may be some understanding, but there is not a written understanding. About some things —about blankets, for instance —I dare say there is some understanding between the mills what they are to be sold at ; but there is no written law about it or anything of that sort. 9. The association does not exist to-day ?—No. 10. Mr. Fairbairn.] The feeling of the Commission is that anything which disturbs free commerce is inimical to the public —that it comes back to the public finally ?—There is nothing of that sort. Any agreement of that sort is a very loose affair at the present time. 11. Mr. Veitch.] Still, there is some agreement ? —I think there is in some cases an understanding between the heads of departments. They arrange it between themselves, leaving the members out of it; but there is no written agreement or anything of that-sort-—at least, we have none. Ido not know what other mills do, but we have none. 12. Mr. Fairbairn.] In the retail drapery trade it always seems to have been competitive. You do not know of any arrangement amongst retailers for fixing prices ?—There is free competition at.the present time in the retail trade. 13. There is nothing to stop any man opening a retail, drapery establishment in any town in New Zealand and trading on the same terms as his competitors so far as getting his drapery is concerned ? —No.