NEW PLYMOUTH DISTRICT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 108, 23 September 1912, Page 5

NEW PLYMOUTH DISTRICT.

ANNUAL REVIEW OF JXDCoTILIAL > , CONDITIONS. ■' A comprehensive review of the industrial conditions in New Plymouth for the past year is contained in the annual report of Mr. H. Willis, Inspector 'of Factories and Awards, at New Plymouth. Dealing generally with the town, he remarks that the year has been one of steady progress, and on the whole, manufacturers and retailers had little cause for complaint at the amount of business done. It was generally acknowledged, he remarks, that from a business point of view the year compared very favourably with any previous year in the history of the district. The number'of applications received for casual work was ; comparatively few. In all forty-seven men were assisted to employment. The provisions of ,j;he Factories Act had been closely observed throughout the district, employers generally not showing any resentment at the responsibilities impos- - ed upon them by its provisions. During the year 230 factories were registered, in which 935 persons were employed—--835 males and 100 females. The previous year 203 factories were registered. ' Only eleven accidents were reported, and fortunately none of thesokwere of a very f "■seritfift riatur%. None of them could be ; . attributed to defective machinery or plant. The utmost good feeling prevailed between employers and employees. The wages paid to young persons employed were in most .cases in excess of the amount specified in the Act. In the 'matter of cleanliness and sanitation there was room for improvement in many of the smaller bakehouses and butchers* small-goods rooms throughout the province, Touching upon the Shops and Offices Act, the Inspector states that during the, year 274 shops were registered, employing 545 males and 240 females, as against 236 last year, employ, ing 572 persons. There were only* two prosecutions under the Act. No great difficulty was experienced in administering the Act. In the majority of shops the hours worked were less than nhe number allowed, and the wages paid to young persons were in excess of the amount specified in the Act, There were four Servants' Registry Offices registered in the district, and he had found them well conducted in every way. The fpes charged were strictly in accordance with the schedule. No difficulty was exper* ienced in administering that portion of the Act relating to hotels and restaurants. In regard to termination of engagements, some employers insisted pn . a week's notice. The matter was of considerable importance, and was in almost constant! dispute between some employer and his or her employee. Tii connection with the Shearers' Accommodation Act, he had visited a number of sheds during the shearing season, and found the accommodation and conditions of employment satisfactory in every way. The provisions of the Scaffolding Inspection Act had, noted Mr. Willis, been closely observed 'by builders .and contrac- - tors in the district.