1.—12.

152

D. J. WILLIAMS.

To Mr. Hornsby: As to the conditions at Burnett's Face, the men and their families are there because that is as near as they can reasonably get to their work, —three miles at the back of Denniston. They are in a little rock-bound valley; there is nothing there but bare rock. They build such houses as they can-such huts as they can afford. They have only one employer. I do not want to say anything against the Westport Coal Company as employers —they are a line company; I rather admire them than otherwise in all their dealings —but, the conditions are such that a man may quarrel with one of the foremen or deputies, and the man may lose his job. The solution of Hie matter is this : these people should live in a model town in connection with the industry, and they should be carried from their homes to their work. The condition of these men and their families under existing circumstances is undesirable for themselves and undesirable for (he Dominion as a whole. To Mr. Hudson: It is my opinion that it would be to the advantage of the worker if the coal-mines were nationalized. To Mr. Veitch: The recent epidemic was very bad at Burnett's Face; in the district there were fifteen or sixteen deaths in a population of between twelve.hundred and thirteen hundred. To Mr. Luke : I think the people running the industry should provide proper homes or provide proper access to Hie work. The grade up Hie hill is wry steep—l think it is 1} in I; it is more than 15 degrees. As to remedying the existing undesirable conditions, my idea is to nationalize the mines—that is the remedy-nationalize the mines and you settle the matter at, once. To the ('hairman : My cure for the trouble is Ihe nationalization of Ihe mines. At present the Government is not in a fair position,; they have lo compete and show returns. 1 would not expect them under present conditions to lie any belter than a, private employer : they work on the same lines. In regard to State control and Ihe delay in Ihe construction of the railwayline, my reply is that they all make mistakes and are slow at limes. The miners are going to be a big trouble in this country unless something is done. I cannot say what Hie ordinary wages of the miners are. I believe some miners are making 30s. a day, but. they are taking big risks working in pillars where they are in grave danger; but there are many who are not making anything like a living-wage. It would be fair to charge the men a reasonable rental for their homes. To Mr. Graigie: A contractor would finish the work far quicker than the present Government, The miners are a community in a state of unrest, and you have to find a solution for that unrest. The general workers outside are nol under the saint: conditions as the miners, and unless you find a remedy for the unrest of Ihe miners, and lind it early, you are going to have an upheaval of all labour ; you have got- to face thai. A. C. Cottrell'j Solicitor, examined, T wish to bring before the Committee the possibilities of the cement industry in this district. At Cape Foulwind, about six miles from Westport, there are large deposits of limestone, extending over an area of some 100 acres. This limestone has been proved to go to a depth of Soft., and there are millions of tons of it. There are also adjacent large quantities of marl, Ihe other ingredient chiefly used in the manufacture of cement. There is quite sufficient mini to equal what would be required lo manufacture cement from the whole of Hie limestone in I hai district. The limestone is at present only being used lo a small extent in burning lime- an industry that is being carried on by tin' Buller County Council. The burnt lime is used by farmers on their land. The manufacture of cement could, I believe, be taken up and would prove a very essential industry. There is a suitable place for cement-works adjacent to a railway running from Westport lo Cape Foulwind, and the product could be marketed very easily. I hand in an analysis of Ihe limestone and marl, made by Mr. Lovell, Director of the Westport School of Mines, showing thai if contains in large quantities the mosl essential ingredients for Ihe manufacture of cement. This country w'H-s also gone over by Mr. Morgan, (lovei'imient Geologist, and bis statement in regard lo if can be found in the report he furnished to the Government. To the Chairman: The deposit of lime is within six or seven miles by rail of Westport Harbour. The depth of water available at Westporl is 27 ft. or 28 ft. The capita] required to establish works to be worth while would be fairly expensive in order lo provide Ihe necessary machinery for cement-works. At the present time cement is largely used for ferroconcrete work and bridges. There would be a heavy demand throughout New Zealand and Australia. I know there is a tariff against cement in Australia. I believe there would be a sufficient demand in New Zealand alone to warrant Opening up works there. To Mr Hornsby: 1 have not heard of any other ores being discovered there, except the ingredients silica, alumina, iron oxide, and so on. hi Hie limestone the percentage of lime is 5310, and after burning it was 9201. The percentage of silica is 51, and after burning 02. To Mr. Sidey: 1 should like the Committee to bring before Ihe Government that such an industry could be opened up if Hie demand warranted it. 1 do nol suggest any Government assistance in Hie establishment of the • industry. I think thai if Ihe demand was sufficient the Government might open up the deposit. T am not speaking for any syndicate. T am only speaking of an industry that could be taken up by Hie Government or by private enterprise. To Mr. Forbes: The cement would have to enter into competition with private concerns now exist-in"', and T believe the ingredients are so good it could easily enter info any competition, I could not say that Hie ingredients are better than those at Golden Bay. To Mr Graigie': A great deal of Hie land where Hie deposit is to be found is held by small farmers. To work it. as'a private enterprise more capital is required than we can find in the district.