I.—4b

6

[W. PBYOE

58. This is the probationary stage?— Yes, 1 understand now. 59. Mr. Colvin.] Suppose that one company medically examines its men and another company does not, do you not think it would be a fair thing for the Arbitration Court to take that into consideration? When one company picks the flower of New Zealand in a matter of its best men, while other companies have to take their rejects, do you not think the company which picks its men should pay higher wages?—lf such a company were insured it would get better terms with medically examined men than a company that did not have its men medically examined. That was clearly shown when you put pneumoconiosis in the Act. The experience of the Westport Company has not been that eight or nine men out of ten have been rejected. The experience has been that the majority of the men have passed the medical test. 60. Hon. Mr. E. McKenzie.] Are you aware that the Westport Coal Company, when they wish to get rid of men from the mine, wait until they go away for a holiday of a week or two, and then on their return put them under medical examination, and a certificate is refused? — That the company makes that an excuse for getting rid of some of their men ? 61. Yes?—l am prepared to give that a direct denial. 62. I am not charging them in any way?— But you make an insinuation. 63. I could give you cases where the men have said so?— Just so; men say anything. If you had the experience that I have had in the Arbitration Court I think you would be very dubious about accepting anything they said. 64. The Chairman.] If it is said that men working in the Westport Company's mines have gone away at Christmas or New Year for a holiday and on starting work again have had to be examined again, are you prepared to give that a denial? —I was with Mr. Scott at the Court when the agreement with the Denniston and Granity miners was arrived at, and during that time there were forty or fifty men present, and there was no hint of anything like that having been done. Knowing the Westport Coal Company as I do I think it is quite unfair to suggest anything of that kind. 65. You are quite prepared to say that men who have gone away for a week or a fortnight at Christmas-time, on going back have not been rejected?—l cannot say that. 66. All you deny is that the motive was to get rid of them?— From what I know of the Westport Coal Company's managers I am sure they would not be parties to such a thing; and, with my knowledge of "the Arbitration Court work in connection with these mines, if such a thing had been done it would have come out at one time or other. I have never heard it whispered. 67. Hon. Mr. E. McKenzie.] Do you know the Imperial Workers' Compensation Act?—l am familiar with it. 68. The Chairman.] It covers pneumoconiosis. Is not the medical examination provided for there? —It doss not cover pneumoconiosis. 69. Hon. Mr. E. McKenzie.] Will your evidence in connection with this clause stand in connection with the same clause in the Mining Bill now before the House?—l was just going to suggest that.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1.500 copies), £i is.

By Authority : John Maokay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o9.

Price 6d.]