B.— 6

XX

MINING. The value of minerals tntered for exportation and of the coal produced in the Dominion during 1920 amounted to £3,431,391, as against £4,424,689 during the previous year. With the exception of mixed minerals, manganese, and kauri-gum, a decline was experienced in the production, the net decrease being £993,298. The decline was due mainly to the increased cost of labour and of materials, to shortage of labour, and to the lower grade of minerals won. The State collieries produced 147,421 tons of coal, as against 167,595 tons during the preceding year. The decrease was due to the closing-down of the Point Elizabeth Colliery on the 31st March, 1920. The profit of winning coal at the mines was £11,203, and the loss made by the depots was £4,310. With the aid of several recoveries and interest received the net profit on the year's transactions was £13,140. The total output of coal from the mines of the Dominion for the year 1920 was 1,843,705 tons, a decrease of 4,143 tons as compared with the previous year. For the year 1919 the decrease was 186,402 tons as compared with 1918. The decrease in the coal-output may be attributed to shortage of labour and to industrial and other troubles. Considerable financial assistance has been afforded to the mining industry during the past year by way of loans and subsidies under the Mining Acts. Further monetary assistance was also granted towards the expense of boring for oil. Extensive use was made of the Government prospecting-drills. During the year six parties hired the drills, and an aggregate of 6,822 ft. was bored in search of coal, alluvial gold, and cinnabar lodes. A working-area of coal was thereby proved in Canterbury, and the continuation of a cinnabar lode was proved in North Auckland. A discovery of interest was made about the end of the year upon an outlying portion of the Inangahua Goldfield by two Government-subsidized prospectors. More deve opment will, however, have to be carried out before a definite opinion can be expressed as to the future prospects of such discovery. LABOUR DEPARTMENT. During the early part of the year a great deal of difficulty arose in connection with the problem of the increase in the cost of living, but it is pleasing to record that in the majority of cases amicable settlements were arrived at. Towards the end of the financial year further difficulties resulting in some unemployment obtruded themselves in consequence of the pressure on the country's finances. The position was relieved as far as practicable by the establishment of relief works. Compared with the conditions experienced in the United Kingdom, America, and even Australia, however, the amount of unemployment in the Dominion was light and little in excess of that Which naturally occurs during the winter months, but which was not experienced during the war period owing to the abnormal circumstances then existing. It is proposed, during the present session, to consolidate the Shops and Offices Acts and introduce amendments for the removal of anomalies which have created difficulties in administration. The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act will also be consolidated and amended. The difficulty which has arisen in connection with the position of the unions' nominated member of the Court of Arbitration has necessitated several amendments in the procedure for filling such vacancies. It is hoped to complete this year the consolidation and amendment of the Factories Act and the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act. Housing. The erection of workers' dwellings was retarded very much during the earlier portion of the year owing to builders being unwilling to tender at a satisfactory and fixed price, and also to the difficulty in obtaining materials ; consequently it was impossible in many cases to arrange for contracts for dwellings at a price