T.—9.

13

W. T. YOTTNfi.j

31. Mr. Sidey.] Probably Mr Young will be able to speak for the others who have not touched upon a suggestion that was made by two of those who have given evidence—namely, that Assessors should sit with the Magistrate, one," I understand, a representative of the employers and the other a representative of the employees. I want to know whether the deputation are unanimous regarding that suggestion?— Yes. That was a point I overlooked in giving evidence, but it has been mentioned. We are unanimous on the point, 32. Mr. Davey.\] All over the colony?- Yes, in favour of Assessors. 33. Mr. Sidey.] You think that the Magistrate by himself would not be competent to recognise thoroughly all the considerations that would require to be taken into account ?—That is the view we take of it. 34. A suggestion has been made that, seeing that Magistrates are not by themselves competent—as is apparently admitted—instead of having one Arbitration Court for the colony there should be two. one for the North Island and one for the South. The chief reason why a change in the law is proposed to be made is on account of the pressure of business in the Arbitration Court and the delays that have taken place; and it has been suggested that the difficulty might be overcome in a more satisfactory manner by having one Arbitration Court for the North Island and one for the South. What is your opinion on that?—Of course, if you create two Arbitration Courts you immediately double" the expenditure. I believe there will be no necessity whatever for two Courts if you hand over breaches of award, as suggested, and leave the Court simply to determine disputes and compensation cases. At the present time, there are here in Wellington, I think, over a hundred breaches waiting to be heard. So far as I am personally concerned, Ido not favour the suggestion to create another Court, I think the whole difficulty will be overcome if you give the Magistrates power to determine breaches, and leave the Court simply to deal with disputes and compensation cases. 35. Do you think there is any objection to the other suggestion except on the ground of expense?— Only that the awards delivered by the South Island Court may differ very materially from those delivered in the North Island, and this might, as a matter of fact, create a lot of undue competition as between the two Islands. We want to keep as near as we possibly can to something of a universal nature throughout the colony in regard to the conditions in any particular trade. 36. Another suggestion has been made—namely, that larger powers than they at present have might be given to the Conciliation Boards, thus leaving one Arbitration Court to deal with more important matters, and that appeals might be had from the Board to the Court. This would provide against what you suggest as to differences in the judgments of two Courts?— That is a point that occurred to me, although I did not?mention it in giving evidence. Personally, lam inclined to favour that, I think that the constitution of the Conciliation Boards could be altered slightly so as to provide that the Chairman should be a legal man, and that the matter of hearing breaches could be determined by the Board. That is simply a personal view of mine. 37. You cannot speak on behalf of the Council?— No. We decided in favour of something else; in fact, that particular matter has never been discussed by the Council. William Lauohton Jones re-examined. 38. Mr. Sidey.] I would like to be quite clear as to a statement made by Mr. Jones with regard to the manner in which Huddart, Parker, and Co. were proposing to evade the award of the Arbitration Court. Do I understand that they have a certain scale of pay for their employees while the vessels are on the coast of New Zealand, and that the moment they leave it and go across to Australia they alter the rate of wages? Is that what they do?— They are not even going that far. As soon as ever the vessel leaves Wellington down comes the rate of pay. 39. Leave Wellington for what destination ?—Either Dunedin or Auckland. According to the text of their letter they are simply paying the award wages during the time the vessel is in the Wellington District. 40 Just while she is in port?— That is what it amounts to. As I said, the Legislature never contemplated the shifting-about of an industrial district, and I submit that an award when made ought to obtain with regard to those vessels plying in and out of the industrial district, the same as has always been the case. William Thomas Youno re-examined. 41 Sir W R Russell.] You told us, Mr. Young, that there were about four hundred cases which had accumulated now awaiting hearing by the Court ?—That is a rough estimate. 42. Do you know how many there were this time last year?—No: I cannot say. Ido not think there were so many, but I am not certain about it. 43 You think the work is still falling into arrear?—Yes : I believe that is correct, 44 We were told last year, I think, that there were eight hundred cases, but my memory may be defective. You could not give us any definite information?— No. 45 The Chairman ] There is one matter which has not been touched on at all, T think through an oversight When you have a case of breach of award before the Court, Mr. Young, and win it do you charge expenses?-Yes, Mr. Chairman. So far as my union is concerned, in the last case of breach that we had against Turnbull and Co. the Court awarded us costs, and we made them out according to the actual expenditure incurred by the union in connection with the breach. 46 What did you charge for?—We charged in the first place the cost of printing the notices to members • then we charged for the postage-stamps, the envelopes, the filing-fee (35.), and suchlike incidental expenses surrounding the breach, the convening of the special meeting, and so forth. 47. Travelling-expenses? —No. 48. Lost time?—No,