THE LABOUR BUREAU.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4184, 5 August 1892, Page 3

THE LABOUR BUREAU.

Annual Report. The annual report of the working of the Bureau of Industries since June, 1891, after stating the inauguration of tbe Bureau, and the fact that 200 agencies had been established, goes on to say that the total number assisted to employment from Juno 1, 1891, to the 81st of May, 1892, is 2974, of whom 2000 were sent to private employers, and the otheiß to publio workn, For the extension of the work of the Bureau, so that it can be worked in a manner likely to fulfil its best functions, Mr Tregcar suggests, first, that tho officers of tho department should bo empowered to demand information, anp obtain it, if necessary, by legal enforcement; second, that an agent or agents shonld visit every part of the Colony, ascertaining personally the rates of f wages, cost of living, cost of production, ages of workers, etc, On tho subject of btate farms, to which the surplus workmen of the town,will be drafted, the report says that these men could be sent with advantage to an institution where, in return for food and shelter, and perhaps some small wages, they could assiet in the general work of a farm, and make pay expenses, while themselves gaining experience. Speaking re the Factories Act, the report says the majority of the employors liavo met the suggestions of inspectors in a manner proving that they had the interest of their' employis at heart, and there wore few traces of anything that could be called "sweating," and fa conclusion speaks in high teruis of the general appearance, habits and morality of workers in New Zealand factories,