H.—l4

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association is opposed to the socialist movement, recognising fully that the trades union is an individualistic and competitive society in its real aims and objects. The socialist combinations have more of a political than an industrial character. Standing committees of workmen in particular factories sometimes act with success in trade disputes, assisting the Inspectors of factories by maintaining good order among work-people, by acting as councils of conciliation, and by assisting employers in the solution of questions affecting the prosperity of business and the interests of the hands. A committee consists of eight workmen or workwomen, elected by ballot for two years, and it reports once a year to a general meeting of the persons employed. Combinations of employers to resist strikes have also been formed, and have in some cases agreed to shut down their mills simultaneously ; but such extreme measures have fortunately seldom been called for. The Government Factory Inspectors have nearly the- same powers and duties as those under the New Zealand Factories Act, and look after the health, hours, and condition of the labourers, prevention of accidents, &c. ; they also act as mediators in cases of disputes between masters and men. Genebal. Working-hours. —ln Turkey, a working-day is counted from sunrise to sunset; and in Montenegro from 6 a.m. till sunset. In Portugal the agricultural labourers work from sunrise to sunset, and in the manufactories 12 hours in summer and 10 in winter. In Belgium the average number of working-hours is 11: but brewers' men work 17: tramway-drivers 15 to 17 ; railway-guards sometimes 19 hours on a stretch ; and in mining districts women are frequently kept at truck-loading and similar heavy work for 13 or 14 hours. In Saxony the day is 13 hours, with two hours' allowance for meals. At Baden 10 to 12 hours, but often rising in stoneware, factories and cotton-mills to 15 hours, sawmills 17 hours, sugar-works 24 hours, with 24 hoars free; and in many factories Sundaywork as well. Austria does not allow workpeople to toil for more than Hi hours, but this does not include 1J hours for rest and food. In mines the actual working-shift is limited to 10 hours. In Switzerland the working-day must not exceed 11 hours, with one hour interval for food. On Saturdays and holidays the workshops must close two hours earlier than usual. In America the hours differ according to the law and usage of the particular State. In New York 8 hours is a legal day for all classes of mechanics and labourers, except farm and domestic servants, railway surface-men in cities, &c, who have a day of 10 hours. Connecticut, Pennsylvania, California, and Indiana have the eight-hours' day. Michigan, Ehode Island, Maine, Florida, and Maryland use 10 hours as a workingday ; and this rate of 10 hours extends over the other States generally. EAELY DAYS OF NEW ZEALAND. Prices of Provisions at Auckland July, 1841. s. d. s. d Beef ... ... ... per lb. 1 4 Tea ... ... ... per lb. 10 0 Mutton ... ... ... per lb. 1 0 Coffee ... ... ... per lb. 2 6 Pork ... ... ... per lb. 0 7 Sugar, brown ... ... per lb. 0 6 Flour ... ... ... per lb. 0 5 Sugar, refined ... ... per lb. 1 0 Bread ... ... ... per lb. 0 7 Eice ... ... ... per lb. 0 4 Cheese, English ... ... per lb. 2 0 Potatoes ... ... ... perewt. 8# 0 Butter, fresh ... ... per lb. 2 6 Bent and Lodgings, 1841. Wooden houses (unfurnished) —Two small rooms and kitchen ... £60 to £80 per annum. Lodgings (unfurnished) —One small room ... ... ... £1 per week. Board and lodging—Board, being without malt or spirituous liquors, and lodging, a bed in a room with others ... £2 a week. Wages, 1841. Carpenters ... ... ... ... ... 16s. to £1 a day. Brickmakers ... ... ... ... ... 10s. a day. Labourers ... ... ... ... ... Bs. a day. Men servants ... ... .... ... ... £4 per month and board. Maid-servants... ... ... ... ... £36 per annum and board. Boys ... ... ... ... ~. 10s. per week and board.