THE LABOUR YEAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17586, 17 September 1917, Page 6

THE LABOUR YEAR.

REPORT OF DEPARTMENT. The twenty-sixth annual report of the Department of labour, covering the year ended Maroh sl, 1917, states that despite some disorganisation of industry owing to the high cost of materials and difficulty of obtaining certain supplies, trade generally was good throughout the year. Very little difficulty had been found in supplying tho needs of employers. Tho total overtimo worked in factories by women and boys exceeded the figures for the previous year, and the replacement of male by female labour in offices, banks and so forth had continued. If present conditions continued regarding the filling; of reinforcement drafts each month it might be necessary to employ women at work hitherto performed exclusively by men. . A large amount of work was being done by the Department in obtaining information regarding trade and industries, this information being placed at tho disposal of the Department of Munitions and the Efficiency Board. Two hundred and ninety-three returned soldiers had applied to the Department, 105 being found employment and 100 assisted by reduced fares. In all 2966 persons received practical assistance through the men's employment bureaux, making a total of 118,468 for tho last twenty-six years. The number of factories had decreased during the year from 13.214 to--12,455, and the number of factory workers had decreased from 83,011 to 78.188. There were 152 prosecutions under the Shops aud Offices Act during the year and 148 convictions were obtained. Arrears of wages amounting to £1715 14s 10d were collected from employers. . "■ The number of industrial disputes filed during the vear was 190. an_ increase on the number for the previous vear. Of these 159 were settled or substantially settled by Commissioners of Councils of Conciliation. During tho year 24 new workers' unions were registered and 6 new'employers' unions. The number of employers'* unions remained the same as the previous year, with a decreased membership of 164, while the workers' unions decreased by 11. with a membershin increased by 3727.

The report also records the outcome of industrial disturbances in connection with tho Petone Woollen Mills, tho steamer Maori, the Auckland drivers, tho waterside workers, the Blackball mine hands, and the Southdown. Westfield and Horotiu freezing works employees. ,