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I.—lo

industrial associations have the power of nomination to the Court. We think it would be rather hard, in the event of there being no more than three registered employers' or workers' unions in a district, they should be debarred from forming an industrial association. Mr. Ballinger: Another suggestion we have to make is that the word " association " be altered to " councils." We think it is very conflicting as it stands now, as there are already in the colony several registered bodies bearing the name " Industrial Association," and registered under " The Industrial Societies Act, 1883." These bodies exist in Christchurch, Wellington, Dunedin, Timaru and Auckland. Mr. Morpeth: Another amendment we have to make is that the clause should limit the number of associations to one in each district. Supposing there were sixteen industrial unions formed in Wellington, we are of opinion that they should not be eligible to form four industrial associations, as under this clause it seems it would be possible for them to do. We would prefer that there should be one industrial association and one only in each district. I will now proceed with clause 32 —"The duties of clerk." We think twenty-one days' notice should be given. 19. The Chairman.'] Are you discussing subsection (2) of clause 32 ?—Yes. Our suggestion is that twenty-one days' notice should be given by the clerk in order to give time to prepare evidence. I think it is in the regulations now to give only three days' notice. Twenty-one days' notice would give both sides ample time to prepare evidence, more especially the side being proceeded against. Clause 36: We have a memo, against that in connection with the constitution of the Board, suggesting that it be constituted of two assessors on each side selected from the particular trade in dispute, and that the Chairman should be elected permanently, and be either a Magistrate or a lawyer. 20. Mr. Hutcheson.] Do I understand you to suggest that you prefer that the Board should not be permanent, with the exception of the Chairman, and that parties to each dispute should elect the assessors? —Yes. Clause 41—" Disqualifications of members," 1, 2, 3, and 4. In No. 4, which says, " is convicted of any offence punishable by imprisonment for six months or upwards " we would suggest that the words " for six months or upwards "be cut out. Ipso facto he should be ineligible. Continuing on clause 41, we suggest that the old clause dealing with those who are qualified to become members of the Court or Board—2B of the old Act—be re-inserted. I think 53 is the next clause I have to deal with. Mr. Ballinger : I think there is a doubtful point in connection with clause 51 that requires to be cleared up. Ido not think that industrial associations can be parties to a dispute, as they are mixed associations. For instance, Ido not think the Trades and Labour Council can be a party to a dispute. The Chairman : We will make a note of it, although it is not new matter. Mr. Ballinger : The words "industrial association" are new—see clause 42 section 2 subsection (a) of 1894 Act. Mr. Morpeth :In reference to clause 53—" Upon receipt of the Board's report or recommendation, the Clerk shall (without fee) file the same, and allow all the parties to have free access thereto for the purpose of considering the same and taking copies thereof"-—in the opinion of our Committee this is a reasonable provision. But they conceive that circumstances may arise in which it would be desirable to have a certified copy of the recommendation or report, and they suggest that the Clerk should be empowered on payment of a reasonable charge to supply certified copies of the recommendation or report to all the parties. In clause 56, line 12, after " executed by themselves " we would like " or their attorneys " added. 21. The Chairman.] You wish to have inserted, "or their attorneys."—Yes. In regard to clause 57—" Eeference to Court in dispute not settled by Board," —the Association would prefer that clause 46 of the old Act be re-inserted, and that the present method of moving the case on to the Court should obtain under the new Act as under the old. In coming to clause 66 — " imprisonment for six months or upwards," line 39, page 18, we make the same suggestion as before —that the words "for six months or upwards" be again struck out. Clause 76—"Evidence "; we make the suggestion that the evidence be taken in shorthand. Clauses 85 and 86— these are new clauses dealing with the power of the Court to extend the terms of the award. My Committee suggest that, if the Court deems it expedient an award should apply to the whole of the colony, there should be a uniform general award. In reference to subclause (1) of clause 86—" Power to amend the provisions of the award for the purpose of remedying any defect therein, or of giving fuller effect thereto" —we think that power to amend the provisions should be limited to a period of, say, three months, otherwise it would tend to irregularity in working. Subsection (3) of clause 87 —" that application may be made to the Court direct, without previous reference to the Board " —we think that in every case the privilege should be accorded to parties at dispute to take their case to the Court; and we think that twenty-one days' notice should apply as before. Subclause (2) of clause 96. —In regard to this, we do not see how an industrial association can bring forward a dispute, and we think there must be some mistake. Coming to the last clause, 113, we think that the whole clause should be struck out. The only logical course to pursue would be that it should apply to the largest employers— i.e., the Government. 22. Does that close your evidence, Mr. Morpeth?—lt does, Sir. 23. Mr. Arnold.] You say, Mr. Morpeth, that no member of a union should be allowed to refuse employment when offered him ? —Yes, except in some instances. Of course, if a man were sick it would be unjust to ask him, but so long as he is able to work he should not be allowed to take up the position of putting his employer at a disadvantage. 24. Do you not think there may be some reason, such as strained relationship between employers and certain men, for instance?— Then in that case, I think, the employers would hardly offer the men work. 25. I fail to see how you can compel an employe to accept employment if he does not care to, any more than you can compel an employer to accept the services of a worker. In one case you