H.—ll.

Return showing Number of Apprentices employed in Skilled Trades, April, 1928 and 1940.

The numbers of new contracts registered for the years ended 31st March, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, and 1940, were as follows : 1,292 ; 2,328 ; 3,235 ; 2,700 ; and 2,840. However, there still appears to be a reluctance on the part of some employers to engage apprentices, and there is yet scope for the employment of a greater number without in any way exceeding the proportion allowed by the various orders of the Court of Arbitration. The Suspension of Apprenticeship Emergency Regulations 1939 (Serial number 1939/154) provides for the suspension of contracts of apprenticeship during the currency of service with the armed forces and their revival after discharge. As a result of discussions by the Industrial Emergency Council the acceptance as a member of the armed Forces is deferred until completion of the apprenticeship in the case of apprentices in the last year of their contracts. This does not apply, however, where an apprentice is joining a unit where he is performing service at his trade. Arrangements have also been completed for apprentices to be credited with trade experience secured while in the armed Forces. ARREARS OF WAGES. Amounts totalling £25,008 Bs. 7d. (last year £31,994 7s. 3d.) were collected by the Department's officers on behalf of workers who had been underpaid the wages prescribed by awards and the various Acts, while further amounts of such arrears totalling £24,864 9s. 2d. (last year £32,038 18s. lOd.) were paid by employers at the instance of the Inspectors directly to the workers concerned : Total, £49,872 17s. 9d. (last year £64,033 6s. Id.). Several statutes empower the Inspector of Factories, acting in the name and on behalf of the person entitled to payment, to take civil proceedings for the recovery of wages due. Inspectors took thirty-seven such cases during 1939-40, judgments being secured to the amount of £419 Bs. 4d. WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACT. Section 70 of the Statutes Amendment Act, 1939, provided for the making of regulations establishing a separate Court to deal with workers' compensation cases, such regulations being made under date 29th February, 1940 (Serial number 1940/38). The Court consists of a Judge only, Mr. Justice O'Regan, who was previously president of the Court of Arbitration, assuming tiie office on 9th March, 1940. During the year sixty-five cases were heard and determined by the Court of Arbitration (previous year ninety-five), while six cases were heard and determined by the Compensation Court. The more important decisions, with a digest thereof, are published in " New Zealand Workers' Compensation Cases," which is issued annually by the Department.

2—H. 11.

9

Number of Number of Apprentices Apprentices employed. employed. Trade. Trade. April, April, April, April, 1928. 1940. 1928. 1940. Baking .. .. .. 364 294 Gardening .. .. .. 26 11 Boatbuilding .. .. 52 49 Hairdressing.. .. .. 210 134 Boilermaking .. .. 76 37 Hatmaking .. .. .. 9 Bootmaking .. .. 221 313 Jewellery .. .. .. 75 66 Boot-repairing .. .. 72 32 Leadlight .. .. .. 52 30 Blacksmithing .... 91 13 Masonry .. .. .. 54 32 Bricklaying .. .. .. 127 47 Moulding .. .. .. 122 112 Carpentering .. .. 1,757 1,689 Painting .. .. .. 481 336 Chemistry .. .. .. 161 * Photo-engraving .. .. .. 54 Clothing .. .. .. 26 218 Plastering .. .. .. 227 149 Coachbuilding .. .. 370 493 Plumbing .. .. .. 741 537 Coopering .. .. .. 11 6 Printing .. .. .. 723 751 Curriers .. .. .. .. 1 Saddlery .. .. .. 49 43 Cycle-working .. .. 97 22 Sail and tent .. .. 3 8 Dentistry .. .. .. ., 17 Tailoring .. .. .. 77 45 Electrical .. .. .. 950 759 Tinsmithing.. .. .. 175 221 Engineering .. .. 902 1,238 Wicker-working .. .. 57 23 Motor engineering .. .. 1,122 1,504 — Furniture .. .. .. 747 799 10,227 10,083 * Not now subject to the Act.