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62. Mr. Bollard.] Are you aware that as regards the wages earned in Auckland compared with other parts of the colony, there is very little difference?—l understand that the statement of wages given in the labour returns are mixed up with the shop-girls' wages. The shop-girls in Auckland earn as good wages as they do in other parts of the colony. 63. But I want you to state from your own experience?—l have not bad any experience in Auckland. lam not in a position to say what they earn. I can only speak from the knowledge I have gained from girls we have sent up there. 64. Supposing that Mr. Hercus was to say that there was very little difference in the wages earned by tailoresses in Auckland and in other parts of the colony, what would you say ?—I could not deny it, for I could not prove it was not so. 65. Are you aware that southern clothing is sold cheaper in Auckland than the Aucklandmade clothing ?—No; I am not aware of it. 66. With regard to the wages of tailoresses in, say, Christchureh, Wellington, and Dunedin, is it a fair wage : are you satisfied with it ?—ln some lines we are not. 67. You do not consider it a living wage, taken on the average ?—lt is not a living wage in some lines. 68. But I want you to take the average ?—Well, I think it would be too much to say that the average was not a living wage. 69. If the Court were to make an award giving the same rate of wages without interfering with the log, would that be satisfactory?—l am not prepared to say that it would be, because the question has not been discussed by the unions. I am not prepared to say whether they would accept such an award. I think that if the matter was threshed out before the Arbitration Court, and the Judge to decide, it would be more satisfactory. 70. Supposing a southern gentleman, largely interested in the matter, was to say that the South was twenty-six years behind Auckland in regard to appliances, what would you say ? —I should say it was not true. 71. Notwithstanding this southern gentleman says so? —Yes; I should say that in my opinion the statement was incorrect, for it is from personal knowledge of my own when I say that the southern appliances are equally up to date. We have the latest machinery and the same appliances. 72. How do you account for the fact that garments made in the South are sold cheaper in Auckland than the Auckland-manufactured goods?—l cannot account for it at all. Before the Arbitration Court some of the southern employers handed in their books to the Court in order to show the loss they suffered through the keen competition. 73. Was not that their own fault if they were underselling the Auckland manufacturers?—l understand it was in order to compete with Auckland that necessitated their selling their goods for less money. ~ 74. The Chairman.] What do you consider a fair wage, supposing a girl was fully employed in the South—in Wellington, Christchureh, or Dunedin —at your log rates ? —From £1 to £1 2s. 6d. a week. Of course, some classes of work do not pay and others do. Some weeks a girl will earn more than others. Of course that is customary. 75. I think that is all now, Miss Whitehorn. I have suggested that you should supplement your evidence by handing in documentary evidence in connection with the agreement entered into by the Auckland Union? —Very well, Mr. Chairman. 76. Mr. Tanner.] I should just like to ask the witnesses if they are aware of any keen competition prevailing—of a powerful firm selling goods at actually below cost price in order to drive rivals out of the field ? Miss Whitehorn: Yes. 77. Mr. Tanner."] Well, would that be a tenable hypothesis to explain the fact of the cheap garments selling in Auckland that came from the South ? —Yes ; I think so. That fact was proved beyond a doubt before the Arbitration Court, as the Judge asked for figures. 78. Do you mean that it was admitted that firms sold articles below cost price for the purpose of keeping their footing in other towns ?—Yes. Chaelbs Cathie in attendance and examined. (No. 7.) 1. The Chairman.'] Your name is Charles Cathie ? —Yes. 2. You are a clothing manufacturer, resident here?— Yes. 3. Do you represent any association ?—Yes, I am a representative of the Masters' Association. 4. You represent the Clothing Manufacturers' Association ?—Yes, the Wellington branch. We are affiliated with Christchureh and Dunedin. 5. You desire to give evidence in connection with this Bill?— Yes. 6. Will you give us your evidence upon any clause to which you object ? —I may say, sir, the clause which I wish to see enlarged is subsection (3) of clause 86. 7. You desire to see the Court given power to make a colonial award?— Yes. I wish to say that formerly I used to get a fair share of work from one particular house which I do not get now. I assume we are in competition. Archibald Clarke and Sons, of Auckland, sell goods in this district, and there are two firms in Wellington selling Auckland manufactures. I wish to agree with the workers and give them what is right—a fair wage. lam of the opinion that there should be a uniformity of award throughout the colony upon interchangeable goods. One can see that an award does not necessarily affect other trades to a large extent. Auckland manufactures are largely sold here. The Wellington Woollen Company have already made a start in this direction by getting some of the work made in Auckland, and this is a matter of equal interest to the workers and masters. We are at one with the unions on this point. It is, to my mind, a question of whether they (the unions) will have to go down, or whether Auckland will have to come up. I think that is practically all I have to say.