MR. J. LOMAS RETIRING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1789, 30 June 1913, Page 8

MR. J. LOMAS RETIRING.

CAREER IN LABOUR DEPARTMENT. Mr. J. Lomas (Secretary for Labour) will retire at the end of* the financial year, that is to say on March 31, 1914. Mr. Lomas joined the Labour Department in 1891, the year of its foundation, and has been connected with it continuously ever since. The two officers just appointed to (ho head ofiico staff vcro Mr. E. Tregear, Into Secretary for Labour, and Mr. Lomas. Inspectors were appointed at Auckland, Christcluirch, end Duncdin soon afterwards, and later Mr. Mnckay was added to the head office staff. In 1893 Mr. Lomas went to Christchureh as inspector in charge, and ho continued in that position for twelve years. At first he was the solo representative of his Department in Christcluirch, but before ho left he was assisted by three inspectors and a clerk. From Christcluirch Mr. Lomas went to Duncdin, where lie was in eliargc of the Departmental branch for close upon two years. About six years ago he was transferred to Wellington as Deputy Chief Inspector. Subsequently ho succeedcd Mr. M'Kay as Chief Inspector, Registrar of Industrial Unions, and Superintendent of 'Workers' Dwellings. Two years ago Mr. Lomas succeeded Mr. Tregear as Secretary for Labour. This position he still holds, and, in addition, lis is Chief Inspector, Registrar of Indus- 1 jrial Unions, and Superintendent of Workers' Dwellings. • Mr. Lomas has been identified with the growth of the Labour Department since its inauguration. Tlx? strength of : the staff in the early days has been in- I dicated. Now tile Department has in- i spectors in all the principal towns, and is represented in otlicrtf by the police, 1 besides having a numerous head office shir. At first (lie Deportment^only nd- | ministered the Factories Act. Now it, administers, in addilion, the Shops mid i Offices Act, the Industrial Conciliation I and Arbitration Act, the Labour Department Act. and the Workers' Dwellings Act. It also Administers all awards of (lie Arbitration Court. Mr. Lomas came to New Zealand in IS7D. Previously lie had been underground I manager at the Carlton colliery at Barnsicy, in South Yorkshire. On- coming (o \ New Zealand, he worked as n miner on j (he West Coast coalfields for eight or nine ( years, and continued in that occupation j iinlil he joined the Department. \ The officer next senior to Mr. Lonm ( in llie Labour Department is Mr. F. W. ( Rowley, who is Deputy-Chief Inspector ( and Deputy-Registrar of Unions. t — (