H.—ll.

Notwithstanding the changes that have taken place in some of the skilled trades by reason of the introduction of machinery and specialization, the apprenticeship question is still one of very great importance, as the supply of much of the food, clothing, houses, and other necessaries of life for the public in the future depends upon the proper teaching of the boys in the various industries from time to time. The question is important for the boys themselves, for the trades concerned, and most of all for the general public. It is gratifying to find that satisfactory progress under the Act is being made, and that members of Apprenticeship Committees are giving their time and services so readily in the interests of the general public and of the boys. The following information is given respecting the work done under this Act from its inception in 1924. The Act provides that, in order that every encouragement and assistance should be given to boys to proceed to skilled trades, reports on the boys leaving schools should be forwarded by head teachers to the Department, which would then get into touch with the boys and their parents, inviting them, where employment is required, to make application accordingly to the Department, stating the kinds of employment desired. Reports on a large number of boys leaving the schools were received accordingly, and a proportion of the boys applied to the Department for assistance. Many otherboys were able to make their own arrangements for employment. Although employers were, as usual, invited to engage the services of boys from the Department's offices, the response has again been very small; this is due largely, no doubt, to the general slackness of trade, and to the fact above mentioned that many of the employers receive applications directly from the boys and make their own arrangements with them. The Act also provides,—• That an Apprenticeship Committee may be formed in any industry or group of industries in any locality by agreement between any organizations of employers and workers. The accompanying table shows the industries in which committees have been set up. (Note : In each case, except where indicated, an apprenticeship order of the Court of Arbitration has also been made fixing the wages and other general conditions of employment of apprentices.)

H. 11.

9

Industries. Districts where there are Committees. Baking and pastrycooking .. Wellington, Canterbury, Auckland, Taranaki, Wanganui, Dunedin, Southland. Boilermaking . . .. .. Wellington, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, Auckland, Gisborne, Southland, Westland. Bootmaking .. .. . . Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago and Southland, Taranaki. Boot-repairing .. .. .. Canterbury.* Bricklaying .. . . .. Auckland, Wanganui, Palmerston North,* North Canterbury. Carpentering and joinery .. Auckland, Taranaki, Gisborne, Wellington, Wanganui, Hawke's Bay, Palmerston North,* Masterton, Nelson, North Canterbury, South Canterbury, Oamaru, Southland, Dunedin. Clothing trade . . . . . . Canterbury, Wellington, Dunedin. Coachbuilding .. . . . . Wellington, Canterbury, Auckland, Otago and Southland. Electrical working . . .. Auckland, Wellington, Wanganui, Canterbury, Masterton, Southland, Thames. Engineering .. .. . . Wellington, Gisborne, Wanganui, Nelson, Palmerston North, Westland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Auckland, Masterton, Southland. Furniture trades . . .. Auckland, Wellington, Wanganui, Westland, Canterbury, Gisborne, South Canterbury, Southland. Gardening .. .. .. Canterbury. Hairdressing .. .. .. Canterbury, Wanganui, Auckland. Jewellery and watchmaking .. Wellington, Auckland. Leadlight and glass working .. Canterbury. Letterpress, lithographing, and book- Gisborne, Canterbury, Taranaki,* Wanganui, Otago, Auckland, binding Wellington. Masonry (stone and monumental). . Auckland, Wanganui. Motor engineering . . .. Gisborne,* Westland, Canterbury, Auckland. Moulding .. . . . . Wellington, Nelson, Wanganui, Christchurch, Dunedin, Southland, Auckland, Palmerston North, Gisborne, Westland. Painting .. .. . . Auckland, Gisborne, Wellington, Wanganui, Hawke's Bay, Palmerston North, Masterton, Nelson, North Canterbury, Dunedin, Southland. Plumbing and gasfitting . . Auckland, Hamilton, Whangarei, Gisborne, Wellington, Dunedin, Palmerston North, Nelson, Canterbury, Oamaru, South Canterbury, Southland, Wanganui, Masterton. Plastering . . .. . . Auckland, Wellington, Wanganui, Canterbury, South Canterbury. Saddlery . . . . . • Auckland, Wellington. Tailoring . . . . . . Wellington, Wanganui, Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Tinsmithing . . . . . . Auckland, North Canterbury. Typographing . . . . . . Gisborne, Canterbury, Taranaki,* Wanganui, Otago, Auckland, Wellington. Wicker-working .. .. Dunedin. * No order yet made.