I.—4a.

J. DIXON.]

7

those at which I make my purchases. I can go back to 1898 and show that there is very little variation in the price of commodities. With regard to the bank-to-bank clause, the Court sat in Westport at the beginning of last year, when the matter was gone into exhaustively, and the position was placed before the Court in detail by both sides. The Court recognised the gravity of the situation, and could see that the enforcement of such a clause was likely to prove injurious to both parties and to the colony. 50. I suppose, summed up, your opinion is this: that you would prefer to see the question remain in the hands of the Court than have it dealt with by statute? —Yes. 51. When the appeal for an award came before the Court the Court decided that they would make no award, consequently the award made two or three years previously stood? —Yes. 52. Do you think that is better than for the Court to.make an award either on the application of the men or the company?—Under the present conditions of mining on the Coast I should much prefer to see the present award continue. Owing to the competition in the coal trade and with the State Mine, I think it will be advisable not to interfere with existing conditions. 53. Do you know the hours of working in the State Mines?—l understand they are working under the bank-to-bank clause. 54. And yet you say you are afraid of this competition? —There is no parallel between any two mines in the world, and I agree with the remarks of the previous witness. You may produce a positive hardship with respect to one mine and not in another. The State Mine is in its infancy yet. The men can get to their working-places in a few minutes. You could perhaps get from 'seven to seven and a quarter hours' work at present, whereas you would not get more than six hours and forty minutes if you had to allow for travelling-time later on. I contend that the Arbitration Court would hear all the evidence and from that determine the working hours. To a company which has the interests of its workmen at heart in the way of ventilation and other things necessary—of course, it reaps a corresponding benefit —the clause should not be enforced. 55. Mr. R. McKenzie.] You gave us a very long statement as to the difference between the cost of production to the Westport Company and the New South Wales mines? —Yes. 56. Can you give us anything of a comparative nature to show the selling-price of New Zealand and New South Wales coal in this colony?—The selling-price is higher of the local coal. 57. How much higher?—Perhaps 3s. or 4s. a ton. 58. Do you think it is £1 more?—Do you mean to the consumer or f.o.b. ? 59. I mean in the ship's slings—how much does your coal sell for at Westport?—l cannot give you the figures. 60. Do you think it is 100 per cent, more than New South Wales?—No, I do not think so. New South Wales coal has been put into Lyttelton at 15s. 6d. 61. And how much is your coal there?—l cannot tell you that. 62. Would it be £1 ss. ?—lt may be. I wisely keep myself free from these figures. There is a certain increase in the wages here compared with those in New South Wales in connection with shipping and handling the coal after it has left the mine. I should not like to see the wages brought down to the New South Wales level. 63. I am aware that the Westport Coal Company is a very good company, but when you want to make a good case for the company, if they sell coal at 100 per cent, to 200 per cent*, higher, I say it is an arguable case? —There "are two sides to the question. Coal-mining is different from any other industry in the world. The moment you have taken out a ton of coal the mine is a diminishing asset," and if you do not get a sufficient foundation laid for your diminishing asset you are going to suffer. 64. You made a comparison of the cost of railway haulage in this colony and in New South Wales. You are provided by the Government with haulage wagons to Denniston?—Yes. 65. In Newcastle they have to find their own wagons?—Yes. 66. What is the cost in wagons by the Railway Department?—Judging from the £150 which is charged to us for every wagon destroyed by us it would be about £40,000 or £50,000 in value. There are 420 or 430 running. 67. There is considerable depreciation in this rolling-stock: how long do the wagons last? — I have known wagons to last twelve or fourteen years. I reckon we buy a wagon every few weeks bv the excessive railage charged compared with New South Wales. 68. You admit that is a consideration, the cost of the rolling-stock? —Yes. 69. I suppose you admit that the Westport Harbour was made for the coal trade? —Yes, I admit the extra harbour-development was. 70. What is the capital of the Westport Coal Company?—l think it is £280,000 in £5 share* originally, and £3 10s. has been paid up. 71. What is the selling-value of the shares?—The last time I saw them quoted they were £6 10s. 72. They have gone up in value?—Yes. 73. Can you tell me what was the declared value of the company's profits?—l cannot tell you that of my own knowledge, but I think they were something like 10s. 6d. per share last year. 74. I think the profit was £134,000 last year? —It might be for the past two years. 75. Do you think it would affect the company very much if the men were allowed to have the time taken off?—Yes, very materially. I think it would cost about £20,000. 76. Do you not think the company could afford it?—lt might for a year or two, but the time will come when the dividends will-not'be what they are now; and if the profits were spread over the whole period during which the company has been in existence they would not come to 4 per cent. 77. Supposing you had some bad years, would that not be the proper time for you to go to the Arbitration Court for a new award? —Yes, but why should we give this away now when we know that when the bad times come the men will leave us?