H.—ll

XIV

General. Vol. viii of the "Recommendations, Awards, Aμ i> &c, made under the Industrial Con ciliation and Arbitration Act" has been issued. It covers the period from Ist January to 31st December, 1907. All judgments delivered under the Workers' Compensation Act during the year ending 31st December, 1907, are embodied in Vol. vi of " Decisions, &c," now issued. The fourth edition of " The Labour Laws of New Zealand " is now entirely out of print, and it is proposed to issue a fifth edition at the close of the parliamentary session of 1908, as there is a largo demand for copies of the labour laws not only within the Dominion, but also in other countries. In the meantime the Department has issued a " Supplement to the Labour Laws," which contains ell Acts relating to labour matters passed since the close of the session of 1905. A second edition of the booklet entitled " The Department of Labour : its Organization and Work " was issued during the year. It has proved itself a most useful publication, giving to foreign correspondents, visitors, and people about to settle in New Zealand a quantity of valuable information in a condensed form. Several thousand copies were forwarded for free issue, at the Anglo-French Exhibition held in London this year, arid supplies have also beei. sent to the Australian Native -Association Exhibitions at Melbourne and Launceston. A very extensive collection of photographs and statistical charts was sent to the Franco-British Exhibition. The charts, which were prepared for the Christchurch Exhibition, New Zealand, were included, together with the architects' plans of workers' dwellings. A very fine set of the photographs showed our co-operative workers at work, including one depicting newly arrived English navvies with their families, and another of a party engaged on our rough but picturesque colonial railways and roads. Special exhibits were prepared by the Department for the Australian Natives' Association Exhibition at Melbourne and Launceston. Emphasis was. given to the portrayal of the homes under the Workers' Dwellings Act by means of enlarged photographs neatly framed. From the newspaper accounts re the same it would appear that the exh.bits awakened deep interest in the subject. During the year we have had many distinguished visitors, most of them making exhaustive inquiries into our labour laws, their administrations and results. Among these may be mentioned Mr. Ernest Avcs (representing the British Government) ; Mr. Paul Kennedy, of New York ; Mr. V. de V. Sviatlowsky, Professor of Political Economy in the University of St. Petersburg ; Colonel Denny, of Dumbarton ; Mr. Keir Hardie, M.P., of Great Britain ; Mr. Ben Tillet, of London ; Dr. Mac Donald, of Queensland and London, &c. Commodities returns were taken regularly at six-monthly intervals, and were published in the Labour Journal. These returns show the juices of groceries, fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, fuel, and boots, and are taken simultaneously in the chief centres and the secondary towns throughout the Dominion. In the case of the ohief cities, an additional return is also given showing the rents of four-, five-, and six-roomed houses. The official staff has been increased during the year in order to meet the continually growing requirements and added duties of the Department. To all these officers my thanks are due for the capable and efficient manner in which, without exception, they have aided my eftorts to do faithful and practical work for the Dominion. Edward Treoear, Secretary for Labour. The Chief Inspector of Factories to the Hon. the Minister of Labour. Sir, — - Department of Labour, Wellington, 26th May, 1908. I have the honour to submit herewith my report on the work of the Department which comes under my special supervision. I was appointed to the position of Chief Inspector on the Ist October, 1907, in consequence of the lamented death of Mr. James Mackay, who had filled the position with such signal and marked ability, and whose uniform courtesy and large-heartedness endeared him to every member of the staff throughout the Dominion. Mr. F. W. Rowley, who for many years had the general supervision of the clerical work, accounts, &c, was appointed Deputy Chief Inspector and Mr. J. W. Collins, who is also a very capable and painstaking officer, was appointed to succeed Mr. Rowley. I was comparatively new to the work of general supervision, having filled the position of Deputy Chief Inspector for only a few months ; however, the ready and willing assistance of the other responsible officers of the Department enabled me to carry out my duties without any difficulty.