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1917. NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR (REPORT OF THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of llis Excellency.

BEPOET. The AoT.Nd-Si.ci.i.TAiiY, Department of Labour, to the Right Hon. the Minister of Labour. Sib, — Department of Labour, Wellington, 29th June, 1917. I have the honour bo present herewith the twenty-sixth annual report of this Department for the information of His Excellency the Governor-General, and to he laid before Parliament, in compliance with the Labour Department and Labour Day Act, L9OB, and the Factories Act, 19(18. The report covers the financial year Ist April, 1910, to the 31st March. 1.917, and, following last year's report, has been suitably curtailed to meet the need for economy. 1 have, &c, W. NIOW TON, The Right Hon. the Minister of Labour. Acting Secretary of Labour. Conditions of Trade and Employment. It is pleasing to be able to report that although considerable disorganization has taken place in trade and industry on account of the high cost, of materials, and in some eases the difficulty in obtaining certain classes of goods for manufacturing purposes, trade generally has been very good indeed during the whole of the year under review. In the employment branch, notwithstanding the shortage in the number of workers caused by a large number of men being engaged on active service, very little difficulty has been found in supplying the needs of employers who have applied to the Department for workers. In some of the skilled trades it was found necessary to transfer workers from one purl of the Dominion to another part where work was available, and although in many instances employers are short-staffed the position is not so acute as might have been expected. Nearly all tradesmen have been fully employed, and it has been found necessary to work considerable overtime in various trades. The total amount of overtime worked in factories by women and boys exceeds last year's figures, the principal increase being in connection with the boot-manufacturing trade. Labouring work generally has also been plentiful. The retail traders are again reported to have had a prosperous year, and ready money has been plentiful. The replacement of male labour by female labour reported last year has been continued as regards employment in offices, banks, &c. Although isolated instances have occurred it has not as yet been necessary to any extent to employ females at work hitherto performed exclusively by males. The position, however, is such that if present conditions regarding the filling of reinforcement drafts each month continue it may lie necessary for this to be done in the near future. Despite many statements Io the contrary, the supply of farm labour was sufficient to meet the demand, and at harvest-time the Department had difficulty in finding employment for all its applicants I'm' this class of work. Steps arc now being taken to enable farmers ami dwellers in the smaller towns to advise their needs to the various Labour Employment Bureaux through the Department's local representative (the Inspector of Factories). By this means it is hoped that both employers and workers in the country districts will be assisted.

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