1.—13

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best journeymen in the colony to-day served their time with us in their respective branches, but were not indentured. The main features of the Act which are most oppressive to us are : Compulsory indentures; rate of wages ; savings-bank deposits; persons now employed to be indentured within three months ; and examinations. We have given you our reasons re the compulsory indentures. Bates of Wages. —This is not at all in reason, and we believe every coachbuilder will uphold us in this. We have to instruct the apprentice in the practical; teach him all the technical he requires, and, at the same time, instead of receiving any benefit from his labour in his earlier years, suffer the waste of material in some cases, tools as well. For what ? the privilege of teaching him the trade, that he may earn a livelihood during life. Will the Government compensate us, or keep us, if this results in financial failure, as the country benefits ? The blacksmithing department would be most serious: In addition to the apprentice's wages, there is blast for fire, coal, waste, iron, and strikers' wages to be paid for by the employer. Savings-bank Deposits. —This a laudable suggestion, but think it hardly the duty of the employer ; either parent or Inspector. Persons now 'Employed, do. —Three months is too short to effect alterations as required under this clause. Examinations. —This is very unjust, not that we fear examinations ; but a master may do all he can and the apprentice not progress, through the fault of apprentice in many ways. In conclusion, we would ask you to give this aspect of the question your thoughtful consideration, and, if you think our reasoning good, reasonable, and sound, kindly use your influence with your honourable colleagues on behalf of the carriage industry, that it may continue to prosper and do its share towards the prosperity of the adopted home of our fathers, and our own home. Again asking for your consideration, We are, &c, The Hon. E. ,T. Beddon, Premier. Arthur Atkin. There is one matter omitted: Some of our young .men leave us before the usual time expires; but, as they always better themselves, we put up with the inconvenience.—A. A.

APPENDIX B. Dear Sib, — Wellington, 21st September, 1894. I beg herewith to supplement the evidence which I gave before the Committee of which you are Chairman, in relation to the Master and Apprentice Bill now before the House. I stated that our firm preferred men of our own training, in preference to the men who have been trained or who have learned their trade elsewhere, and, in corroboration of this statement, I have to say that two of the lads who served their apprenticeship with our firm are now foremen in our employ. This fact, I think, serves to show that colonial workmen are as capable, and can be taught a handicraft-trade equal to that of workmen in any of the older countries. Yours, &c, D. Pinkerton, Esq., M.H.E. A. Scoullar.

APPENDIX C. [Received from the Auckland Employers' Association.] Bepobt of the Sub-committee on the Master and Apprentice Bill: Your committee, having considered this Bill, suggests : 1. That, inasmuch as the Bill provides a rate of wages under a six years' term of apprenticeship, it is requisite to know under which prescribed rate in the third schedule wages would have to be paid under an apprenticeship for, say, from two to four years. Your committee suggests that in a three years' term the apprentice should be paid as follows : For the first year, the average of the two first scales; for the second year, the average of the third and fourth scales; and for the third year, the average of the fifth and sixth scales. 2. The term of probation provided for in section 18—viz., one month—is too short, and should be extended to three, or at least two months, as an apprentice's fitness or liking for a certain handicraft cannot always be ascertained in the former period. 3. As regards section 20 it ought to be made known on what data the decision will be arrived at, as to whether the master or employe is to blame for the latter not satisfactorily learning the handicraft in question. 4. With reference to deposits of pennies in the Post-office Savings-bank, under section 12, your committee think the onus of making the deposits should devolve on the apprentices, so as to save employers the consequent trouble, which would be great in places where many boys and girls are employed. The same object could be attained by requiring the apprentices to make the deposits themselves, if masters have power given them to deduct from wages such sums as the former neglect to bank, together with a prescribed fine, to be paid to the apprentice's credit into the bank. Then a mere presentation of the bank passbook on pay-day would be sufficient. The principle of a portion of the wages of apprentices being paid into the Savings Bank is not objected to. It may be intended to encourage a habit of thrift amongst young people ; but your committee thinks the spirit of the measure will be best carried out by requiring the apprentices to take a personal interest in the matter by depositing their own savings under the suggested regulations.

APPENDIX D. Deak Sir,— Auckland, 28th July, 1894. I have yours of the 24th instant duly to hand, for which please accept my thanks. I see from the local papers the Minister of Labour is bringing on another Master and Apprentice Bill. Under these circumstances. I hope you will excuse me pointing out how it would affect me, and also very many rising industries. In the making of small tins for butter,