ir.—n.

The figures as to the number of factories and workers employed therein do not purport to coincide with those of the Government Statistician (annual statistics of factory production), as his returns, which are drawn up purely for statistical purposes, do not cover various small establishments that are included as factories under the Factories Act. It might bo explained that the above figures are those ascertained at registration time (April in each year), except that in order to include factories in seasonable industries which might be closcd in April any new establishments opened during the year are added. The figures shown for 1939-40, therefore, chiefly represent the numbers in April, 1939. It will be noticed that increases have again been recorded in the number of factories and in the number of factory workers ; in the latter case both male and female employees having increased considerably. An examination of figures in connection with the more important trades shows a continued increase of 851 workers employed in trades associated with the building industry, meatfreezing 299 increase, tinsmithing and coppersmithing 210 increase, biscuit and confectionery 191 increase, fruit-preserving and jam-making 354 increase, and printing and bookbinding 128 increase, while industries which last year showed a decrease almost all show an increase, including general engineering 798 increase, boot and shoe manufacturing 713 increase, and clothing-manufacture 555 increase. Other industries which this year show substantial increases are electrical and radio manufacture 450 increase, woollen-milling and hosiery-manufacture 254 increase, and tobacco preparing and manufacturing 259 increase, while the only industries to show any considerable falling off are coach and motor-body building 516 decrease, wool and flax dumping 257 decrease, and butter, cheese, and condensed-milk manufacture 118 decrease. Considerable overtime was worked during 1939, but as the Department's figures in respect thereof relate only to women and boys, it being in connection with these workers that permission to work is involved, it appears inadvisable to quote figures, as confusion may occur when comparison is made with the statistics relative to factory production issued later by the Government Statistician. An interesting feature associated with the increase during recent years in the number of factories registered is the number of new premises erected for factory purposes and particularly those for larger factories. The Department takes the opportunity as new structures are built to endeavour to arrange for the installation of up-to-date layout, ventilation, lighting, and sanitation facilities. Accidents. In order that they may be comparable with the statistics of other countries, the figures cover the calendar year 1939. The total number of reported accidents to workers in factories during that period (preliminary figures only) was 4,938 (4,641 males and 297 females). Of the total number, 143 of the accidents occurred to workers under sixteen years of age, 999 to those between sixteen and twenty, and the remaining 3,796 to those above that age. Of the i 0 fatal accidents, 4 were caused by or were due to machinery. Of the total accidents, 771 were caused by or were due to machinery. The other principal causes of accidents were found to be as follows : Palls of persons (from stairs, ladders, platforms, &c.), 194; stepping on or striking against fixed objects, 332; faulty handling of tools, 1,111; handling of other objects—viz., objects dropped or tipped over, objects falling, or strain due to handling, 1,555; handling of poisonous and corrosive substances; 108 ; others (miscellaneous), 1,638 ; total, 4,938. Disability caused : Temporary disability 4,797 ; permanent partial disability, 131. Fatalities, 10. Information in respect of time lost in 4,773 cases shows that a total of 92,818 days were lost, or an average of 19-4 days for each worker. The total amount of compensation paid in the 4,902 cases in respect of which the details have been secured was £77,032 2s. lOd. The following particulars are given of the fatal accidents that occurred during the year:— A worker in a sawmill, whilst giving instructions to a winchman who was hauling a log on to the skids, failed to stand clear when called upon to do so and was crushed between two logs. The injuries received proved fatal. A worker who attempted to close the door of a wagon whilst in motion was crushed between the door and a brick wall. The injuries received proved fatal. Whilst cleaning and dusting roof-beams a youth employed in a fruit-preserving and jam factory had his clothing caught up in some revolving shafting, resulting in fatal injuries. There was no actual eye-witness of the accident. It was thought, however, that the worker was seized with giddiness and overbalanced on to the shafting. An electrical wireman engaged on installation work in a timber-mill, whilst endeavouring to locate a fault, accidentally came into contact with an 11,000 volt feeder line. He was electrocuted, and died immediately. An employee intending to go downstairs, instead of opening the door which led downstairs, inadvertently opened a door which led on to the rails of a travelling crane. The crane was passing at the time, and the worker was crushed against the jamb of the door, receiving injuries from which he died shortly after.

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