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XVIII

CHRISTCHURCH. Sir,— Department of Labour, Christchurch, 20th April, 1907. I have the honour to submit for your perusal my report of the work of this office for the year ending the 31st March, 1907. I am very pleased to say that the various Acts administered by this Department have been the means of improving the conditions of the worker. The holding of the New Zealand International Exhibition was responsible for the large influx of visitors from all over New Zealand, Australia, and other parts of the world, consequently trade in general received a considerable impetus, and during the six months in which the Exhibition was open very few complaints were made by business people. The erection of the Exhibition buildings gave a considerable lift to the building trade. The clothing trade has had a very busy year, and in many factories difficulty has been experienced in obtaining suitable hands, although advertised for in other parts of the colony. It was thought by many that immediately the Exhibition closed there would be a slump in trade, and that a large number of unemployed would be clamouring for employment. These anticipations have not come to pass, and I am pleased to say that applicants for employment in unskilled work have been fewer during the past month than has been the case for several years. The building trade is still good, and many contracts are coming out shortly. Attention has been given to the sanitary conveniences and to the ventilation of factories, and many improvements have been effected at the request of this Department. There are, unfortunately, still a few old buildings being occupied as factories, which are badly lighted, and where the ventilation is not as we would wish ; but with the steady progress that is being made in the building of comfortable, well-lighted factories, in conformity with the factory laws, a better condition of affairs is being brought about. The work of the Department has increased very much during the year on account of the administration of the Scaffolding Inspection Act and the Workmen's Dwellings Act. The registration of shops has" been another big work. The correspondence has increased in like proportion to the other work, no less than 3,076 letters being posted outwards, besides many thousands of circulars, and quite a large number of telegrams. " The Factories Act, 1901," and its Amendments. This Act appears to be giving general satisfaction, and very little difficulty is experienced in enforcing its provisions. From year to year improvements are being effected in old buildings, and in the new ones provision is made to safeguard the health of the worker , the employer fully recognising that more work can be done by a worker when working under well-lighted, well-ventilated, and comfortable Conditions. There is one important matter, however, that needs attending to when any future amendments to the Act are made—viz., the compulsory keeping of a record-book, showing the time worked by the various employees. At the present time the only section of the Act bearing upon this subject is section 17, which provides that a record should be kept showing the earnings paid per week of each person employed in the factory; and also the notice that is posted up in factories showing the working-hours of the factory. This latter only shows the usual hour of starting and leaving off work, but would not be applicable to cases where broken time is worked. During the year 1,163 factories were registered, employing 11,500 persons —viz., 8,028 males and 3,472 females, showing an increase of 37 over the number registered last year. Accidents. In all cases where accidents are reported inquiries are made, and, where necessary, instructions are given to guard machinery. The number of accidents of a serious nature was 8; the remainder were slight. Except in a few cases, the workers returned to their employment in a few days. Overtime. This year shows a decided increase in the amount of overtime worked : 90 boys under sixteen years of age worked 2,355 hours, 2,843 females worked 98,119 hours. 841 males over sixteen years of age worked 63,975 hours ; or a total of 3,774 workers worked 164,449 hours during the year. Permits to Young Persons under Section 26. Three hundred and ninety-seven permits have been issued during the year to boys and girls under the ages of sixteen years, 217 being issued to boys, and 180 to girls ; of this number 6 were issued under special conditions provided for in section 25. Prosecutions. Fifteen occupiers of factories were taken before the Court for failing to comply with the law : 13 convictions were obtained, and 2 cases were dismissed, the Stipendiary Magistrate remarking that the cases were bad ones, and regretting that the law did not cover such. Proceedings which were taken in the two cases were under section 31, which provides that payment shall be made in full, &c, and that no deduction shall be made from wages, &c. ; in the cases above-mentioned the full wages were handed over to the employees, but a demand was made for payment of a fine, inflicted for a breach of the regulations of the factory, with the threat that unless the fines were paid dismissal would follow. Provision could be made in any future amendment of the Factories Act to cover such cases. A considerable sum of money was collected and paid over to the workers, being generally small amounts erroneously deducted from wages, for holidays, or failing to give increases at the proper time, &c. The amount collected was considerably less than collected last year, proving conclusively that employers are getting still more conversant with the Act,