H.—ll.

1936. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR (REPORT OF THE).

Presented to botK Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

EEPO R T.

The Secretary, Department of Labour, to the Hon. the Minister of Labour. Sir, — Department of Labour, AVellington, Ist August, 1936. I have the honour to present herewith the forty-fifth annual report of this Department for the information of. His Excellency the Governor-General, and to be laid before Parliament, in compliance with the Labour Department Act, 1908, and the Factories Act, 1921-22. The report covers the financial year Ist April, 1935, to 31st March, 1936. I have, &c., J. S. Hunter, Secretary of Labour. The Hon. the Minister of Labour.

EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT. Several sections of this report contain evidence of improved conditions. The table relating to the number of factory workers, also the returns of industrial union membership, indicate greater employment in industry. The matter will be dealt with fully in a separate document which it is intended to table by leave of the House concerning relief of unemployment and measures to promote employment, and generally the activities in connection with the Unemployment Fund (now Employment Promotion Fund).

FACTORIES ACT.

I—H. 11.

Number of i Number of | Year. Factories Movement. Factory | Movement, registered. j Workers. ! l I l 1916-17 .. .. .. 12,455 759 (decrease) 78,188 4,823 (decrease). 1926-27 .. .. .. 16,619 308 (increase) 103,404 1,083 (increase). 1927-28 .. .. .. 16,782 163 „ 102,622 782 (decrease). 1928-29 .. .. .. 16,677 105 (decrease) 102,795 173 (increase). 1929-30 .. .. .. 17,082 405 (increase) 104,448 1,653 „ 1930-31 .. .. .. 17,019 63 (decrease) 104,377 71 (decrease). 1931-32 16,253 766 „ 89,932 14,445 1932-33 16,176 77 „ 86,222 3,710 1933-34 .. .. .. 15,598 578 „ 85,968 254 „ 1934-35 .. .. .. 15,900 302 (increase) 93,592 7,624 (increase). 1935-36 16,434 534 „ 102,275 8,683