H.—ll.

Inspections, etc. Systematic inspection has not been carried out this year, but where necessary, on account of complaints, &c., visits were paid. Prosecutions numbered 14, in 12 of which convictions were obtained ; the fines totalled £29 ; no case calls for comment. Complaints were received respecting 210 alleged breaches of the Act, resulting in 8 prosecutions and 150 warnings. In 40 cases investigation showed that no breach had been committed, while in the remaining cases no action was considered necessary. Six prosecutions were instituted for breaches which were discovered by Inspectors, and warnings were given in other cases, being either first offences or of a minor nature. There were 405 requisitions served to comply with various requirements of the Act, such as for limewashing ; safeguards for workers employed on machinery, &c. ; sanitary conveniences ; fireescapes ; renovations and structural alterations; heating-appliances; ventilation; first-aid appliances ; and dining-rooms in the case of establishments employing over six women and girls and boys under sixteen.

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

SHOPS AND OFFICES ACT. The records show 26,467 shops throughout New Zealand, of which 13,849 (approximately one-half) were carried on without assistants. In the shops with assistants there were employed 19,442 males and 18,289 females. For reasons of economy systematic inspection has not been carried out this year. Prosecutions numbered 141, in which 123 convictions were obtained ; fines, £175 10s. Complaints were received respecting 513 alleged breaches of the Act, resulting in 42 prosecutions and 286 warnings. In 160 ca,ses investigation showed that no breach had been committed, while in the remaining cases no action was considered necessary. Ninety-nine prosecutions were instituted for breaches which were discovered by Inspectors, and warnings were given in other cases, being either first offences or of a minor nature. Forty-seven requisitions were served on occupiers of shops to comply with various requirements of the Act, such as for sanitary conveniences, heating-appliances, fire-escapes, and ventilation. INDUSTRIAL CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION ACT. Work done under the Act during the Year 1931-32. Industrial agreements filed . . . . . . . . . . .. 9 Awards of the Court of Arbitration . . . . . . . , . . 24 The awards and industrial agreements actually in force on the 31st March, 1932, total 445 (last year, 467).* Work performed by Commissioners and Councils of Conciliation. Industrial agreements arrived at and filed as such under section 28 by parties through the Commissioner alone .. . . . . . , . . 7 Disputes dealt with by Conciliation Councils— Where industrial agreements were filed under section 28 . . 0 Where recommendations were fully accepted and forwarded to the Court to be made into awards . . .. .. . . .. 7 Where recommendations were substantially accepted or agreements reached and referred to the Court to make awards .. .. . . 6 Where only minor recommendation or no recommendation was made . . 2 Total . , . . . . . . . . . 22f

* This reduction is due principally to the expiry of a number of awards and industrial agreements following the cancellation of the registration of the industrial unions of workers bound thereby. In addition, a number of old agreements which were found on investigation to be no longer operating, were removed from the appendix to the ' Book of Awards. f In addition, in 13 cases in which recommendations were made the disputes were referred back to Conciliation Councils in accordance with the provisions of the 1932 Amendment Act, and in another case the application was withdrawn.

3

; I Year. Boys. Girls. Total. ! Year. Boys. Girls. Total. 1916-17 .. .. 1,158 1,251 2,409 1928-29 .. .. 981 1,603 2,584 1929-30 .. .. 1,077 1,746 2,823 1926-27 .. .. 1,199 1,547 2,746 1930-31 .. .. 655 1,059 1,714 1927-28 .. .. 1,030 1,614 2,644 1931-32 .. .. 420 843 1 263