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31. Three hundred employes ?—Yes. I do not suppose there are more than three hundred. Of course, this is a smaller number than in other parts of the colony, because they have had eighteen years start of us. 32. Mr. Bollard.] You contend, Mr. Morran, that you have a large trade among the gumdiggers and Maoris, comprising about thirty thousand people ?—Yes. I do not think there are any statistics to give the exact number, although it is supposed to be from ten thousand to fifteen thousand gum-diggers. I may say they wear the very commonest kind of clothing. 33. In consequence of supplying these people you make a different class of clothing, do you not ?—Yes. 34. Do I understand you to say that you are quite agreeable that you shall be compelled by the Arbitration Court to carry on your business in such a way that your employes shall have the same rate of pay proportionately as in other parts of the colony, so long as the Court does not interfere with your log or your method of working?— Yes, that is my contention. 35. The Chairman.] I suppose you are aware that under the existing piece-work log all allowance is made for machinery—that an agreement is fixed that a certain price is to be paid for handwork. That is the existing log, is it not ?—Yes ; but everything is not covered by it. 36. Is there anything to prohibit the Court extending that —bringing in the different items done by machines? Your system would not be interfered with by the Court. Of course, where you have machinery, the greater part of the work is done by the machinery?—l think there should be a piece-work rate of pay for machinists. Abeaham Levy in attendance and examined. (No. 9.) 1. The Chairman.] —What is your name, please ?—Abraham Levy. 2. You are a clothing manufacturer here ?—Yes. 3. You represent the Clothing Manufacturers' Association ?—Yes. 4. And you desire to give evidence on this Bill?— Yes, that is my desire. You will please confine your evidence strictly to the clauses you object to. We will take it that you do not object to any clause except which you speak of.—l do not know that I have much to say, except that I am of opinion that the same rate of wages that is at present paid here shall prevail, and, if possible, we should bring the Auckland people up to our standard. This, in my opinion, should be done. 5. Are you in favour of the Court having power to make a colonial award ?—Yes, I am in favour of that. 6. And that is the point you desire to bring out, is it not ?—Yes. 7. Mr. Arnold.] Are there reasons why Auckland should be permitted to work for lower rate than is worked in the South ? For instance, have they more up-to-date appliances in Auckland which enables employes to earn as much in a lesser time than employes work in the South ?—No; I think that supposition is only a myth. Ido not think there are many in Auckland earning as high a wage as is earned in the South. The Auckland work is not done on an equal footing as the same class of work done in the South. 8. Are the southern manufacturers very far behind Auckland as far as method is concerned, that is with regard to appliances and equipment?—No, not at all. The southern manufacturers are the manufacturers of New Zealand. The Auckland manufactured article is not in the same street as the article manufactured in the South. That is really a fact. If you want cheap and common stuff you will get it from Auckland. If you want real good stuff you will get it in Wellington or in the South. 9. With regard to machinery, have you as up-to-date machinery in the South as in Auckland ; have you machines to put on buttons, and so forth ?—Some of the southern manufacturers have as up-to-date machinery, of course, while others have not. Personally, Ido not approve so much of the use of machinery in regard to this work, except it be in the case of moleskin trousers, and cheap work of a similar nature. Some of the manufacturers are as up-to-date in every respect, I should say. Of course, the Auckland manufactures are mostly cheap suits, and so forth. If you want a first-class article you must get it from a southern house. 10. Have you had workers from Auckland in your employ; do you know the Auckland system and method of working?— Yes, I have seen the Auckland system, and know all about it; and I can assure you I would not have it at any price. I would not allow it. 11. Mr. Tanner.] You are aware that the Auckland manufacturers object to pay the same log rates as are paid in the South ?—Yes. 12. Do you think it would be possible to strike a log for the whole colony —for the Court to arrange that the cheap, slop-made articles manufactured in Auckland be included at a reasonable figure, and thus give the employes a chance of earning as good wages as are earned in the South ? —I can hardly say with regard to that. It is a problem. Ido not know at all. 13. Is the cheap class of work manufactured in Auckland provided for in the Wellington log? —No, it is not. They have a different working system in Auckland, and we do not take any notice of it. 14. Do you know any details of the system? —Yes. To give you an instance : we stay the edges of all our garments, and put pockets in the suits—-for instance, particularly with regard to Melville jackets—while in Auckland they do not do this. [Witness explained the technical process certain garments were submitted to.] 15. You think, then, if this cheap class of work was disseminated throughout the colony it would have the tendency to lower the general prices all through; that is, practically reduce the trade to a slop-trade, East End of London style '! — Yes. • 16. And for the credit of New Zealand manufactures you would like to suppress that class of work ?—Yes, I certainly should.