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Factories Act.

The large increase in the number of factory workers over 1919-20 is explained by the fact that when the 1919-20 registration was effected, which was, as usual, chiefly in April, only a few of the New Zealand soldiers had returned from the war. A more reliable comparison might be found between the years 1913-14 and 1920-21. No doubt a fall will be found when the figures for the 1921-22 registration are given, on account of the present lalling-off in trade.

Accidents in Factories.

Careful inquiry was made into every accident, especially those that were fatal or serious, and in no case was it found that the accident was due to defect of machinery or appliances or to neglect of the employer. The large increase in the number of slight accidents is due partly to the number of inexperienced hands employed recently iti meat-slaughtering, and partly to a closer vigilance by Inspectors and the insistence upon every accident, however slight, being reported to the Department.

Certificates of Fitness issued to Boys and Girls under Sixteen Years of Age to work in Factories.

The fall in the number of girls is noticeable ; it will perhaps result in a larger number of girls being employed in domestic service. Other MaWrs. The prosecutions numbered forty-three, an increase of twelve, over last year's total. Convictions were secured in all cases. As the principal Act has been in force since 1901, and now requires consolidation and revision, a Hill is under preparation for your consideration. Shots and Offices Act. The prosecutions under this Act numbered 129, an increase of twenty-nine over last year's total. Convictions were secured in 124 cases, No case calls for special mention or comment. Shops and Offices Amending Act, 1920. This amendment passed last year effected a number of important alterations of the present Act which has been in force, together with minor amendments, since 1904. The maximum weekly number

Year. Number of Factories registered. Movomont. Numbor of Factory Workers. Movemont. * 1913-14 (before the war) 1914-15 1915-16 (since the war began).. 1916-17 1917-18 1918-19 1919-20 (after the war) 1920-21 13,469 13,937 13,214 12,455 12,485 12,444 13,490 13,661 94 (increase) 468 „ 723 (decrease) 759 30 (increase) 41 (decrease) 1,046 (increase) 171 „ 87,517 88,812 83,011 78,188 79,653 82,783 85,591 96,603 919 (increase). 1,295 5,801 (decrease). 4,823 1,465 (increase). 3,130 2,808 11,012

Slight. Moderate. Serious. Fatal. Total. 1913-14 1914-15 1915-16 1916-17 1917-18 1918-19 1919-20 1920 21 879 747 837 938 509 795 652 1,122 165 171 160 144 317 192 454 351 52 46 65 84 65 58 105 91 8 3 3 5 10 8 7 11 1,104 967 1,065 1,171 901 1,053 1,218 1,575

1913-14.. 1914 15.. 1915 16.. 1916-17.. 1917-18.. 1918-19.. 1919 20.. 1920 21.. Year. Boys. 932 952 1,100 1,158 1,199 1,240 .. I 1,252 .. j 1,267 Girls. 1,241 1,136 1,263 1,251 1,236 1,333 1,685 1,368 Total. 2,173 2,088 2,363 2,409 2,435 2,573 2,937 2,635