D.—3

No. 11. The Agent-General to the Hon. Minister for Immigration. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, lltli March, 1886. I transmit to you herewith copy of a letter I have received from the Colonial Office, covering a communication from the Board of Trade relating to the collection and publication of labour statistics. I shall furnish the Board of Trade with all the particulars I can; but if you should contemplate establishing any special bureau of the kind mentioned in Mr. Giffen's letter, I should be much obliged by you directing information thereon to be sent to me as early as convenient, for the information of the Board. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure in No. 11. Mr. Bramston to the Agent-General. Sir, — Downing Street, 25th February, 1886. I am directed by Earl Granville to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade specifying certain information which it is desired to obtain as regards the collection and publication of labour statistics in various Colonies. Lord Granville will be glad if you will enable him to supply the Board of Trade with this information, so far as regards New Zealand. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. John Bramston.

Sub-Enclosure to No. 11. Board op Trade to Colonial Office. Sir, — Board of Trade (Commercial -Department), London, S.W., 12th February, 1886. The Board of Trade observe that notice has been given by Mr. Bradlaugh of the following motion in the House of Commons, which will come on for debate on the 2nd March next: "To call attention to the method of collection of Labour Statistics in the United States of America and the Dominion of Canada, and to move, that in the opinion of this House, immediate steps should be taken to ensure the full and accurate collection and publication of similar statistics. The Board of Trade are in possession of various reports from the Bureau of Industries of Ontario, and the Department of Agriculture of Manitoba, as well as of Labour Statistics contained in Reports made by immigration agents to the Canadian Department of Agriculture. They also, from time to time, receive publications containing returns as to average rates of wages from the Registrars-General of the several Australasian Colonies, and the Colonial Secretary of the Cape of Good Hope. They desire, however, to be more fully informed on the subject, and would suggest, for the consideration of Earl Granville, that it might be expedient to request the Officers administering the Government in the Colonies referred to to furnish information on the following points : — 1. Whether in the Colonies under their administration Labour Bureaus have been established. 2. If so, what are the precise objects or functions of these institutions. 3. What are the publications issued by them, and what information generally do they give to the public. The Board of Trade would also desire to be furnished, where possible, with copies of the original acts or other documents establishing the Bureau in question, and with copies of the last annual report issued by each of them. Where no such Bureaus exist the Board of Trade would be glad to be informed what arrangements are made by the Government, or by local authorities, for obtaining and publishing statistics of wages, or other information as to the employment of labour. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. R. Giffen.

No. 12. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir,— 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 26th March, 1886. In continuation of my letter of the 11th instant, I now transmit to you a copy of a further letter I have received from the Colonial Office, stating that, during the enquiries, which have been made into the condition of the unemployed here, it was found that there were many labourers, mechanics and artizans, who had, until recently, been in continuous employment, and had not been in receipt of parish relief; and, asking whether your Government would be prepared to receive such emigrants, if satisfactory financial arrangements were made with Her Majesty's Government. The Colonial Office letter covers an extract from one addressed by the Local Government Board to that Department, giving particulars on the points mentioned by Lord Granville. As everything depends upon what is meant by " satisfactory financial arrangements with Her Majesty's Government," I propose to ascertain that meaning before addressing you again. A Bill has been before the United States Congress, providing for the establishment of a department of labour, under the supervision of the Secretary of State, for the purpose of " collecting information upon the subject of labour, its relation to capital, and the working hours, the earnings of men and women, and the best means of promoting their welfare." lam endeavouring to get a copy of this Bill for you. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

5