3

H.—ll

Accidents in Factories.

Probably the increase in the number is due in some degree to the employment of a larger proportion of inexperienced workers. Snors and Offices Act. There were 152 prosecutions during the year. Convictions were obtained in 148 of the eases. Arrears of Wages received for Workers dnder Various Acts. Arrears of wages amounting to £1,715 14s. lOd. were collected from employers and handed over to the workers concerned. Shearers and Agricultural Labourers' Accommodation Act. Prior to and during last shearing season inspections were, made of a large number of shearingstations throughout New Zealand. An especially extensive inspection was made in the Hawke's Bay and Fast Coast districts. The general conditions could usually be classed as satisfactory, but requisitions for improvements were served in a few cases, principally for minor alterations or additions. One station-owner was proceeded against in the S.M. Court for failing to comply with the Inspector's requisition, and was ordered to carry out same and pay the costs. Inspections were also made by departmental officers in the Wellington, Marlborough, Canterbury, and Otago Districts. Flax-mills and sawmills were also inspected in several districts, and in most cases the conditions existing were found to be satisfactory. Scaffolding Inspection Act. During the year 888 notices of intention to erect scaffolding were received. Sixty-seven accidents were reported under this Act, eight of which were fatal, the remainder being of a minor character. The fatal accidents were caused by falls from scaffolding, &c, and were not due to faulty construction of gear. There were eight prosecutions laid under the Act, and a conviction was obtained in each case. Workers' Compensation Act. During the year thirty-seven eases were dealt with under the Act, as compared with fifty-two during last year. Of these, eight were considered sufficiently important to be published. Cost of Living. The necessity for a curtailment of expenditure has led to discontinuance of publication of the Labour Journal, which ceased with the issue of April, 1917. Headers of the interesting figures relating to foods and the cost of living which appeared in the Journal will be able to follow these in the "Monthly Abstract" issued by tho (lovcrnment Statistician. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. The number of alleged breaches of awards and agreements reported to the Department has been somewhat less than during the previous year. The number of disputes tiled for investigation by Conciliation Councils and the Arbitration Court has shown an increase, as was anticipated in last year's report. Tho business dealt with by Councils of Conciliation, Court of Arbitration, &c, under the Act is summarized as follows :— Industrial agreements (inclusive of those made between parties without reference to a Conciliation Commissioner or Council) ... 63 Recommendations of Councils of Conciliation... ... ... ... 159 Awards of Arbitration Court ... ... ... ... 168 Magistrates' Courts — Enforcements of awards, Ac.— Conducted by Department ... ... ... ... ... lill Conducted by unions ... ... ... ... ... :'> The awards and agreements actually in force as at the 31st March last totalled 581.

Slight. Moderate. Serious. 32 52 46 65 84 Fatal. 8 8 3 ■1 5 Total. 961 1,104 967 1,065 1,171 1912-13 1913-14 1914-15 1915-16 1916-17 837 879 747 837 938 84 165 1.71 160 144