H—4s

can be regarded as the reasonably true average weekly wage for union waterside workers for the whole year. On this basis the average annual income for a regular unionist would be £575 in 1948-49, as compared with £563 in 1947-48. This assumption is borne out by reference to Return (b), " Income Groups," which shows that for 1948-49, 86 per cent, of union waterside workers are included in the groups £4OO-£7OO (that is, average £550). For 1947-48, 83 per cent, of unionists were included in these groups. It will also be noted from this return that for 1948-49 union waterside workers received a total returnable income of £3,145,158. This was approximately £250,000 greater than for 1947-48, but was shared by 173 more men. 6. GUARANTEED DAILY AND WEEKLY MINIMUM PAYMENTS This is the second full year during which the daily and weekly minimum payments scheme, which commenced from 10th March, 1947, has operated. A table is published in the Appendix (page 72) giving a summary of the payments at each port for 1948-49 and the cost per man-week worked. During the year the following alterations in rates and conditions of guarantee payments have occurred : (i) Weekly minimum payment increased by 10s. per week at all main and secondary ports, and at Awanui, Whakatane, Opotiki, and Tokomaru Bay as from 25th October, 1948. (ii) Weekly minimum payment increased by £1 per week at Whangarei as from 14th February, 1949. (iii) Consequent upon increase of 2id. per hour in basic rate of pay, the daily minimum payment at main and secondary ports became 7s. 9d. instead of 7s. 4d. as from 14th February, 1949. (iv) Introduction of guaranteed weekly minimum payment of £3 10s. per week at Motueka as from 21st February, 1949. For these reasons, and also because of the general fall in average hours of work (see Section 4, page 12), the total of £75,761 paid in daily and weekly guarantees in 1948-49 was £15,618, or approximately 25 per cent, greater than for 1947-48. Of this total, £49,744 was for daily and £26,017 for weekly guarantees. These amounts were £10,945 and £4,673 respectively. greater than during 1947-48. The average costs per man-week worked varied from 5-68 d. at Auckland to 295. 7-88 d. at Gisborne. Considerable variations are recorded at individual ports in costs for 1948-49, both total and per man-week, as compared with those for 1947-48. These variations are found in all cases to be in inverse ratio to the increases or decreases in average hours worked per man-week. 7. ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES . (a) WAITING-ROOM ACCOMMODATION The Commission has continued its policy of providing waiting-rooms and amenities at where it is satisfied that the finances of the Harbour Boards are such that this work cannot be undertaken by them. In accordance with this policy, modern waitingrooms were completed and officially opened at Nelson, on 17th April, 1948, and at Bluff on 16th October, 1948. Contracts have been let for the erection of waiting-rooms at the Ports of Whangarei and Tauranga. Negotiations are proceeding with the New Plymouth Harbour Board for the erection of a modern waiting-room at that port. Agreement has been reached on the plans and specifications for the new modern waiting-room at Lyttelton. A permit has been issued for the erection of this building, and it is expected that a start will be made at an early date.

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