PRINTING AND STATIONERY DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1918.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1918 Session I-II, H-36

H.—36

Session 11. 1918. NEW ZEALAND.

PRINTING AND STATIONERY DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1918.

Laid on the. Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

SIR,- - Government Printing and Stationery Office, Wellington, Bth July, 1918. I have the honour to submit the annual report upon the working of this Department for the year ended 31st March, 1918. The tables accompanying the report show the nature, extent, and result of the year's workings. Gazette. —The number printed was 1,690, the number of subscribers 190, and the amount received £296 lis. 3d. Hansard. —The number of Hansards printed for session 1917 was 8,000, the number of subscribers 101, and the amount received £22 15s. Stamp-printing. —The number of sheets of stamps of various values printed was 1,163,258, the number of stamps 167,338,235, and the value £1,856,470. In addition, 296,320 war-loan certificates, of a value of £4,434,000, were printed by this branch. Stereo and Electro Plates. —The number of stereo plates cast during the year was 23,089, the weight being 20,313 lb. The number of electrotypes was 2,632, and the weight 282 lb. Rubber Stamps. —The number of rubber stamps made was 5,084. Railway Tickets. —8,193,820 railway tickets were printed, the largest number (1,150,242) being printed in April. Work of the Year. —All branches of the Department have been very busy, and, as usual, two shifts are being worked in the machine-room, though the shortage of machinists makes it difficult to get as many hands for the night shift as is desirable to enable the work to be kept under. Overtime. —Over a hundred of the employees of the Department are now on active service, and many more have been passed as fit and will shortly be going into camp, and owing to the scarcity of skilled tradesmen this necessitates a considerable amount of overtime being worked. Military Ballots. —The publication of these lists continues to be a strain on the establishment, both in labour and in paper. Storage Accommodation. —As a result of the alterations of the building the accommodation for storage has been much improved, which will prove to be economical to the Department. For some years we have been labouring under great disadvantages by reason of the cramped storage accommodation, and the additional room gained will result in a saving in the handling of stores. Paper and Stationery. —The cost of paper is even higher than last year, and in many cases prices have advanced over pre-war days from 300 to 400 per cent. Apart from the fact that smaller quantities are being turned out from the mills, it is difficult to get paper at all, owing to the shortage of shipping, and even in American purchases it is not certain that the; orders will come to hand. In view of these circumstances, and the possibility of the position becoming still more acute, I must again urge that the heads of Departments keep a careful check of their printing and stationery orders, and especially cut down the sizes of forms whenever practicable, so as to save paper. lam convinced that this matter does not receive the consideration that it should, and that orders are at times on too lavish a scale. Without enumerating any special items of stationery, all goods are difficult to obtain, and orders are a long time coming to hand. This in many cases is the cause of a great amount of inconvenience, but the position is not likely to improve until the war is over. Accommodation.--To obtain the best economic value from the new addition to the building a rearrangement of the office has been brought about. This necessitated considerable alterations to

I—H. 3(3.

H. -36

the old building, but Lam satisfied the result will be well worth the outlay. Those branches more closely associated with one another in their work are being brought more into touch, and the conditions under which the employees are working in all branches have been much improved by reason of the changes effected. The Stamp-printing Branch, the Stereotyping Branch, and the Machine Setting and Casting Branch, which have been very cramped for room for some years, have, as the outcome of these alterations, been greatly relieved, and the extra accommodation afforded them should add to their efficiency in dealing with the work. The alterations are not yet complete, but they should be before Parliament meets. Machinery.—Four new casters have been set up, and as a result we have been able to dispense with the night staff of casters. This is a great advantage. During the year several new motors have been installed, and there are now forty-four motors driving machinery. A very small percentage of the machinery is steam-driven, and in the course of a month or two the whole of our driving-power will be electricity. The new wing has been heated with hot-water pipes (an excellent system), and some time in the near future I hope to convert the heating of the old building from steam to hot water, thus doing away with the necessity for coal. An electric cargo-lift has been installed, and fills a long-felt want. It is a Smith-Stevens lift, and is working very satisfactorily. Two electric hoists have also been installed—one a travelling hoist for the handling of heavy goods in the paper-stores, and a smaller one for operating the forme-lift from the basement to the third floor (four floors). Both are satisfactory and are proving economical in their working. In the Lithographic Branch the proving-presses and stone-grinding processes have been converted from hand-power to electricity- a much-needed change. The disc ruling-machine, now some two years under order, has not yet come to hand, and the rotary flat-bed printing-machine ordered over a year ago will not be started upon till the close of the war. From this it will be seen how difficult it is at present to obtain new machinery The rotary perforator, however, ordered at the same time as the ruling-machine from C4reig and Sons, has just been delivered, and is in full work. When the war is over labour-saving and up-to-date machinery will be required, and it will be found economical to install the latest and best to be obtained. For an establishment to produce the best work it is necessary to have the best machinery obtainable. The Staff. —The staff has had a strenuous year, and I have pleasure in testifying to the valuable services rendered by all those in responsible positions. I have, &c, Marcus F. Marks, lion, Mr. Russell, Minister in Charge. (government Printer.

2

H.—36

3

PRINTING AND STATIONERY DEPARTMENT. Balance-sheet at 31st March. 1918. Dr. Liabilities. £ a. d, £ a, d. Or. Assets. £ «. d. £ s. d. To Capital Account .. .. 104,943 11 7 By Buildings . . .. .. 43,256 9 8 Sundry creditors .. .. 2,435 1 7 Less depreciation .. 939 8 0 Consolidated Fund .. 48,918 4 3 £ s. d. 42,317 1 8 Suspense Account .. 2,052 14 2 Plant—Printing .. 13,000 13 4 ■- 158,349 11 7 Less depreciation 956 5 0 Profit and Loss (balance to credit of) 1,47115 6 - 12,044 8 4 Plant—Binding .. 3,205 2 7 Less depreciation. . 232 10 0 2,972 12 7 Plant — Litho and Photo .. 1,860 19 11 Less depreciation. . 131 5 0 1,735 14 11 Plant —Engine-room 646 14. 3 Less depreciation.. 70 0 0 576 14 3 17,329 10 1 Type .. .. .. 8,092 12 3 Less depreciation. . .. 603 15 0 • 7,488 17 3 Furniture .. . . .. 504 12 2 Less depreciation.. . . 37 10 0 467 2 2 Sundry debtors .. .. .. .. 35,929 19 9 - Stock in hand .. .. .. .. 56,288 16 2 £159,821 7 1 £159,821 7 1 Profit and Loss Account for Year ended 31st March, 1918. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Gr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Lighting and water .. .. 1,372 8 6 By Manufacturing Account 5,963 1 8 Repairs and maintenance .. 866 111 Stationery Trading Account. . 5,571 4 7 Salaries .. .. .. 3,541 12 li Publishing Account .. 1,095 9 9 Office expenses .. .. 291 9 0 —~ 12,629 16 0 Discount .. 50 14 5 Freight .. .. 1,010 3 3 Postage ...... 873 6 4 Bad debts ...... 2 0 8 Medical services .. . . 101 16 0 Depreciation .. 2,970 13 0 Insurance .. .. .. 75 14 II 11,158 0 6 Balance —Profit for year .. 1,471 15 6 £12,629 16 0 £12,629 16 0 Wellington, Ist July, 1918. B. B. Allen, Accountant.

2—H. 36.

H.-36

4

Return of Printing and Stationery issued to Departments for the Year ended 31st March, 1918.

Printing. Stationery. Advertising Office Agriculture Journal of Agriculture Audit Office Bacteriological Laboratory Bankruptcy Cambridge Sanatorium Canteen, Featherston Camp Cook Islands Administration Crown Law Office Customs Defence „ Units , „ Discharged Soldiers' Information ,, Military Service Boards ,, N.Z. Munitions and Supplies . . .,, Recruiting Boards ' „ National Efficiency Board Education —Head Office ,, Examination Branch ,, School Journal „ Teachers' Superannuation Fund Electoral Friendty Societies Gazette Public Service Journal General Assembly —Bills ,, Hansard .. ,, Joint Account ,, Statutes ... Geological Survey Government Accident Insurance Government Life Insurance Government House Government Statistician Hector Observatory .. .. Hospitals and Charitable Aid House of Representatives—Appendix .. ,, Journals „ Miscellaneous ,, Order Paper £ s. d. 60 18 0 1,476 19 2 3,032 14 3 78 12 6 Iff 15 0 69 19 0 15 19 2 16 12 0 49 4 6 42 12 (I 328 2 0 15,434 2 4 186 17 0 70 2 0 367 2 3 1,1.24 4 6 264 2 0 1,588 19 2 830 4 6 4,555 6 I 32 14 6 458 5 6 89 .19 6 9.587 1 4 90 5 0 561 7 0 5,927 13 10 408 3 3 1,142 12 6 624 4 0 70 10 6 1,255 13 4 170 12 0 7,473 9 9 9 15 6 £ s. d. 19 3 5 1.299 6 4 3 6 0 90 15 5 20 11 0 41 16 3 8 15 2 14 9 6 84 5 8 49 10 3 468 13 0 10,169 1 5 16 8 8 74 18 2 189 18 0 173 8 4 56 15 2 L43 14 7 629 7 6 3 10 11 0 15 0 1 10 7 32 17 5 3 1 1 0 4 0 120 0 3 11 16 2 17 1 8 289 4 4 53 8 9 315 11 7 4 18 5 7 1.7 0 0 8 0 " Immigration .. Imperial Government Supplies Internal Affairs ,, Ministers' Offices Justice Kahiti Labour Lands and Deeds Land and Income Tax Land for Settlements Lands and Survey Legislative Council—Journals. . „ Miscellaneous „ Order Paper 4,766 3 9 23 6 0 273 9 9 568 11 6 0 9 6 90 12 6 1,288 13 11 231 5 9 1.016 18 0 1.915 7 5 913 19 10 1,116 6 9 2,168 19 9 5 19 6 3,371 11 8 46 15 6 V 28 12 6 74 7 6 1.017 7 4 86 8 4 257 0 7 219 17 6 144 7 0 364 7 5 626 7 6 47 10 3 915 5 0 782 1 3 137 7 2 3 8 11 ±41 5 4 611 10 4 228 13 8 1,073 14 5 261. 9 9 239 19 7 551 1 9 6 11 7 1,403 5 2 18 0 2 Marine Meteorological Mental Hospitals Mines Dominion Museum National Provident Fund Native New Zealand Naval Adviser Pensions 285 5 4 2 19 1 201 9 4 87 12 11 29 19 0 1.48 3 11 270 I. 7 37 7 2 241 2 7 29 19 4 Patents

5

H 86

Return of Printing and Stationery issued to Departments, etc. — continued.

Police Post and Telegraph—Head Office ,, Controller of Stores Prime Minister's Office . . . . > Prisons Public Health Public Service Commissioner .. ,, Stores Tender Board ,. Superannuation Board Public Trust Office Public Works Railways—Head Office ,, Accountant ... „ Day tickets ,, Chief Engineer ,, Mechanical Engineer ,, Stationery Clerk .. ,, Stores Manager ,, • Stores, Petone „ Ticket-printer ,, Time-table .. .. . .'• ■ ,, Chief Traffic Manager Registrar-General Stamp State Advances State Coal—Head Office ,, Christchurch Depot ,, Dunedin ,, Greymouth ,, Wanganui ,, Wellington State Fire Insurance Tourist Treasury Valuation Printing. Stationery. _ . . £ a. d. £ s. d. 2,100 9 9 895 8 10 3,026 13 1 43 12 0 17,093 13 6 330 19 8 91 11 9 67 19 1 220 13 6 237 4 5 806 6 8 356 8 1 161 10 7 190 12 11 69 14 0 40 11 0 13 7 I .. : 2.303 1 1 1.932 1 7 974 8 5 1.249 10 2 550 11 6 5 18 0 58 4 6 7 8 11 791 10 7 12 9 6 5 5 6 32 15 0 10.735 14 0 120 18 5 3 2 0 32 2 9 15 11 3 918 16 8 1.783 11 10 81 18 6 .. • -' 785 2 0 199 13 0 630 10 6 369 13 7 320 12 8 441 8 3 27 15 0 7 12 8 3 118 12 19 0 10 4 43 6 6 12 0 6 9 0 0 3 16 9 3 10 0 26 3 5 387 4 9 212 12 8 347 14 6 103 11 0 2,538 14 2 217 11 3 332 8 10 269 4 8 Totals .. 127,196 6 3 27,767 2 9 127,196 6 3 27,767 2 9 Summary. 1917—April May June July ' August September October November December 1918- —January February March .. I 8,039 19 8 ! 1,060 17 1.1 .. I 11,242 11 7 2,582 12 10 10,138 7 9 2,654 9 0 11,221 8 4 2,364 6 4 .. | 14,357 1 1 1,930 13 7 .. I 9,831 17 11 2,146 15 J .. | 10,924 18 4 2,199 4 0 .. I 10,399 11 4 3,005 0 8 .. [ 9,382 17 5 2,598 4 4 7,681 6 6 1,740 1 1 9,427 2 6 2,240 17 3 14,549 3 10 3,244 0 8 Totals .. 127,196 6 3 | 27,767 2 9

R—36

6

Return of Adhesive and Impressed Stamps printed from 1st April, 1917, to 31st March, 1918.

Approximatt Oolt of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (66U copies), £7 Ills.

Authority : Marccs F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—HlB.

Priet id.)

Description. Sheets. Stamps. Value. Postage Duty Railway Postal notes Letter-cards Post-cards 671,605 6,462 3,000 220,000 169,444 71,250 20,000 1,497 148,459,000 761,806 360,000 2.200,000 1,524,999 1,140,000 160,000 1,490 12,730,940 £ s. d. 973,773 0 0 751,458 0 0 1,125 0 0 9,540 17 8 9,496 17 6 4,746 5 0 363 2 0 9 6 3 105,957 11 8 Newspaper-wrappers Embossed envelopes Impressed stamps .. Totals 1.163,258 167,338,235 1,856,470 0 1