H.—ll.

Complaints were received respecting 375 alleged breaches of the Act, resulting in 29 prosecutions and 203 warnings. In 120 cases investigation showed that no breach had been committed, while in the remaining cases no action was considered necessary. Twenty 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. Twelve of the prosecutions were against factory-occupiers in respect of offences connected with the keeping of the wages and overtime book. There were 145 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. Factory Hygiene and Welfare Work. Attention to welfare conditions for female workers has been given by the women Inspectors of Factories in the four chief centres, visits also being made to smaller towns. During the year a special investigation was made in Auckland, in collaboration with officers of the Health Department, into the use of injurious solvents, particularly amylacetate, in the millinery trade. Samples of paints and sprays used for straw hats were taken by the Health Department's officers for analysis, and the report of the Analyst is at present being awaited. In a number of the larger factories fans have been installed for the protection of the health of the workers, and in some cases milk is provided for consumption by the worker who operates the spray-gun.

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

It is worthy of note that the number of boys under sixteen years engaged during the year shows a marked increase ; the total, however, is considerably below that shown for years prior to 1930. On the other hand, the number of girls under sixteen engaged during the year constitutes a record— viz., 2,011 —the previous highest number of girls engaged being 1,746 —viz., in 1929-30. SHOPS AND OFFICES ACT. The Department has no accurate record as to the number of shops and the number of assistants employed therein, but from the information available it is estimated that there were during the year 27,320 shops throughout New Zealand, of which 14,356 (approximately one-half) were carried on without assistants. In the shops with assistants there were employed 19,330 males and 18,779 females. During the year visits of inspection to the number of 11,916 were made, in the course of which wages-books were examined to see that the provisions of the Unemployment Act, 1930, and its amendments had been complied with in respect of the deduction of the emergency unemployment charge. Prosecutions numbered 207, in 193 of which convictions were obtained; fines, £194 15s. Complaints were received respecting 677 alleged breaches of the Act, resulting in 105 prosecutions and 336 warnings. In 201 cases investigation showed that no breach had been committed, while in the remaining cases no action was considered necessary. One hundred and two 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-three of the prosecutions were in respect of offences connected with the keeping of the wages and time book, 9 against employers for wilfully making false entries, and 10 against workers for wilfully signing incorrect records. Thirty-nine requisitions were served on occupiers of shops to comply with various requirements of the Act, such as for sanitary conveniences, heating-appliances, seating-accommodation, ventilation, and partitions. INDUSTRIAL CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION ACT. Work done under the Act during the Year 1934-35. Industrial agreements filed .. .. .. .. .. 30 Awards of the Court of Arbitration .. .. . . .. 42 The awards and industrial agreements actually in force on the 31st March, 1935, total 404 (last year, 396). Four of the 30 industrial agreements referred to above have since been declared awards by the Court of Arbitration.

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Year. Boys, j Girls. Total. | Year. Boys. Girls. Total. 1916-17 .. .. 1,158 1,251 2,409 j 1930-31 .. .. 655 1,059 1,714 I 1931-32 .. .. 420 843 1,263 1926-27 .. .. 1,199 1,547 2,746 | 1932-33 .. .. 509 1,067 1,576 1927-28 .. .. 1,030 1,614 2,644 1933-34 .. .. 510 1,283 1,793 1928-29 .. .. 981 1,603 2,584 1934-35 .. .. 791 2,011 2,802 1929-30 .. .. 1,077 1,746 2,823