H.—ll.

1937. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR (REPORT OF THE).

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

REPORT.

The Secbetary, Department of Labour, to the Hon. the Minister op Labour. Sir, — Department of Labour, Wellington, Ist August, 1937. I have the honour to present herewith the forty-sixth 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, 1936, to 31st March, 1937. I have, &c., J. S. Htjntee, The Hon. the Minister of Labour. Secretary of Labour.

EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT. Several sections of this report furnish evidence of vastly improved 'conditions in industry. Greater employment is indicated by the tables relating to the number of factory workers, certificates of fitness for young persons to be employed in factories, and the number of apprentices in the various skilled trades. The matter is 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 Employment Promotion Fund.

FACTORIES ACT.

I—H. 11.

Number of ! Number of | Year. j Factories ! Movement. Factory j Movement, registered. j Workers. 1916-17 .. .. .. 12,455 759 (decrease) 78,188 4.823 (decreased 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 1936-37 .. .. .. 17,126 692 „ 111,041 8,766