I.—9a,

G. H. LIGHTFOOT.]

55

132. That affects the Amalgamated Society of Engineers and yourselves particularly?: —Yes. 133. 1 have received resolutions condemning the Bill as a whole and asking me to oppose it: Now, do you not consider that clause 4 of the Bill, which removes the Willis Blot, is a matter of importance to the worker ?—I think, generally speaking, that we have not any particular objection to that. 134. Is the removal of the Willis Blot a matter of importance to the union? —Yes. 135. And it is most desirable in the interests of the workers that it should be removed? —I think so. 136. Does extending the definition of " worker," so as to«make it more general in its application (section 40), meet with your approval?—l think that clause is in the right direction. 137. Now, with regard to giving industrial agreements the force of an award?— That is a point which we have asked for for some time. We asked that the recommendations of the Board should have the same effect. 138. And that is provided for in'this Bill? —Yes, I think it is. 139. Clause 22, with regard to the enforcement of awards, to do away with vexatious delays which have frequently resulted in unions losing their witnesses, what have you to say to that?— That is another point which, as previous witnesses have pointed out, we are strongly in favour of, and we would also like a provision made for assessors to sit with Magistrates. 140. Altogether, there are many clauses in the Bill which are of distinct advantage to the workers? —Yes. 141. So it would not be to the advantage of the workers to reject the Bill as a whole? —Ne, except in those respects which we have already pointed out. 142. Mr. Arnold.] You heard Mr. McLaren give evidence on the whole of the points in the Bill that your party approved of ?—Yes. 143. And you agree with the statement that was made by him? —Quite. 144. I was not very clear about my understanding you in regard to the permit: When the Chairman of the Board'issues a permit," say, for six months, does he not put a date on it showing that it is issued from a certain time to a certain time?— Yes, but you will find that the Act states that the worker can use the permit until notice is given, I have no actual knowledge as to permits, but I have heard that certain persons have gone about using these permits beyond the time for which they were granted. 145. Do you not think it would be better if they were only good for the time they were granted? Yes, that is what I am asking for, that they should only be used until the date mentioned on the permit. 146. The Chairman.] Is it the usual practice to make these permits available for six months only? —Yes, I understand they cannot be granted for a longer period. 147. Is there any provision in the Act with regard to that?—l cannot say. 148. Do you mean to say that young fellows are in the habit of getting permits, and through not being members of your union you do not know their addresses, and at the time of the expiry of the permits six months later, when the permits should have been cancelled, these young fellows have disappeared ?—Yes. 149. Can you give any reason for their disappearance?— Simply because it is a very common occurrence for them to shift from one boardinghouse to another. 150. It is simply a change of address? —Yes. 151. It is not "a disappearance from the town ?— Presumably not—not always. Although I could not mention names. I have had letters returned to me when I have sent notices out as to the expiry of the term. 152. Would it be an incentive to these young fellows with a six-months' permit to drift away from the towns altogether and get work at the minimum wage elsewhere ?—lt might be so. 153. Have you had cases where young fellows who have had permits granted to them have worked long after the permits have expired?—l have no definite evidence as to that, but I know it has been done. 154. Have you a copy of your award?—l have not one with me, but I can supply one the next time the Committee sits p 0 t ne Workers. A Manifesto .—Arbitration Amendment. — Trade* Council* Views. — New Proposals Condemned. The following manifesto has been drawn up by the parliamentary committee set up by the Wellington Trades and Labour Council to go into the matter of the amending Arbitration Bill: — Fellow-unionists and Fellow-workers, — In the fulfilment of our duty in watching over the Bills being laid before Parliament, as such affect the interests of the workers, we have carefully examined the above-named BUI, and find that the salient features of this proposed amendment of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act are these : — . , • 1. Abolition of the Conciliation Boards and creation of Industrial Councils with rights of appeal to the Arbitration Court. —The proposed substitution of Industrial Councils for the Boards of Conciliation will destroy all chance of an amicable settlement of an industrial dispute. We believe that in most cases'it will be almost impossible to secure Industrial Councillors for the workers' side of the Council who will be independent enough to declare their convictions, under the present wages system. That a worker who has the courage of his convictions while sitting on an Industrial Council'will be a marked man is apparent to every worker in the colony, and because for that reason alone it will be futile to expect to get a thorough workers' representative on an Industrial Council for an industry who is dependent on that industry for his livelihood, We