A.—4

XXX

J. Mackay (Chief Clerk in the Labour Department and Inspector of Factories) attended, gave evidence, and handed in a statement and comparative return of wages paid in various trades in the Australasian Colonies. . J. L. Kelly (journalist), M. Chapman (barrister and solicitor), and D. J. Nathan (merchant) attended and gave evidence. J. H. Collier (New Zealand Cycle-works) wrote, asking permission to give evidence, and the Secretary was instructed to arrange a time. A letter was received from W. H. Millward, asking to be relieved from attendance on the ground of urgent business arrangements. It was decided to excuse Mr. Millward from attendance. A further letter was received from Gresley Lukin, again requesting that, on account of private and personal reasons, the Commission would not insist upon his attendance as a witness. Resolved, That the Secretary write to Mr. Lukin and say that he would be- absolved from attendance. A letter was received from J. R. Blair, stating that, as he did not consider the question of federation a live one, and had therefore given it only the most cursory attention, he begged to be excused from giving evidence. He was, however, absolutely opposed to federation. The Secretary was instructed to write excusing Mr. Blair from attendance. B. S. Baldwin (patent agent and consulting engineer) and M. Macpherson (general manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company) attended and gave evidence. J. Izett (journalist, now being temporarily employed by the Government) attended, and asked permission to hand in a written statement embodying his opinions upon federation. After considerable discussion as to the propriety of allowing persons in Government employment to give evidence embodying opinions, it was resolved to allow such evidence from persons who, being only temporarily employed, are not Civil servants. The Secretary then read Mr. Izett's paper. H. Hurrell (Bouse and Hurrell, coachbuilders), P. E. Eussell (saddler), and J. Kays (wholesale chemist) attended and gave evidence. J. Duthie (merchant) attended and gave evidence, and also handed in a return of exports from New Zealand to Australia. The Commission adjourned at 5.30 p.m. till 8 p.m. The Commission reassembled at 8 p.m. W. T. Glasgow (Secretary of Customs and Marine) attended and gave evidence. The Commission adjourned at 10 p.m. until 10 a.m. next day.

Wednesday, 27th Febkuaby, 1901. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: Hon. Colonel Pitt, M.L.C. (in the chair), Mr. H. Beauchamp, Hon. C. C. Bowen, M.L.C., Mr. T. W. Leys, Mr. C. M. Luke, Mr. J. A. Millar, M.H.E., Mr. W. S. Eeid, Mr. J. Roberts, C.M.G., Captain Russell, M.H.E., and Hon. Major Steward, M.H.R. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was received from S. Brown (president of the Industrial Association), submitting the names of gentlemen whose evidence might be taken, of whom it was decided to ask Messrs. Prouse and Corrigan to attend. A telegram was read from N. Kettle, Hawke's Bay, asking to be excused on account of important business. ■The Secretary was instructed to intimate that Mr. Kettle would be excused from attendance. The following gentlemen attended and gave evidence : T. Lynch (wharf-labourer, representing the Trades and Labour Council), Major Madocks (staff officer to the Commandant), W. Cable (master of Engineers' Association, and ironfounder), J. P. Luke (ironfounder and engineer), W. Crabtree (ironfounder and engineer), D. Robertson (ironfounder and engineer), Eev. W. A. Evans (Congregational minister), W. Booth (of Carterton, timber merchant, and director of Wellington Meat Export Company), E. K. Simpson (of Eangitikei, farmer), A. E. Eussell (of Palmerston North, farmer), M. Caselberg (of Masterton, managing director of the Wairarapa Farmers' Co-operative Association), A. Collins (representing the Trades and Labour Council), and P. J. O'Regan (journalist). Letters were received from the Hon. W. Eolleston and Mr. E. Melland, covering statements of their views on federation, in accordance with the request of the Commission. The Commission adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until 10 a.m. next day.

Thuksday, 28th Februawy, 1901. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present : Hon. Colonel Pitt, M.L.C. (in the chair), Mr. H. Beauchamp, Hon. C. C. Bowen, M.L.C., Mr. T. W. Leys, Mr. C. M. Luke, Mr. J. A. Millar, M.H.R., Mr. W. S. Reid, Mr. J. Roberts, C.M.G., Captain Russell, M.H.R., and Hon. Major Steward, M.H.R. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Letters were read from W. Ferguson and E. Hannah, desiring to be excused from attendance, and the Secretary was instructed to intimate that they would be excused accordingly. C. Pharazyn (of Longwood, Featherston) wrote, expressing his views on federation, and it was decided to accept the letter as evidence.