H.—ll.

Applications for Work. Number. . Number. To assist . . .. .. 96 Laundresses .. .. . . 37 Attendants .. ... .. .. 3 Lady-helps .. .. .. 47 Barmaids . . .. . . . . 5 Married couples .. . . . . 11 Charwomen . . .. .. 35 Milliners . . .. . . .. 3 Cooks .. .. .. ..154 Nurses .. .. .. ..23 Companions .. .. .. .. 9 Pantry-maids .. .. .. 14 Factory-managers .. .. .. 3 Porters and page-boys .. . . 16 Generals .. .. .. . • 105 Saleswomen .. .. .. .. 2 Governesses .. .. .. .. 5 Seamstresses .. .. .. 10 Housemaids and waitresses .. .. 105 Typistes .. .. .. .. 1 Housekeepers .. .. .. 91 Wards-maids.. .. .. .. 3 Kitchen-maids . . . . 14 Kitchen-men .. ... .. 14 Total.. \ . .. ..1,019 Engagements made. Number, i Number. To assist .. .. .. .. W Lady-helps .. .. .. ..22 Attendants . . .. . . .. 4 Milliners . . .. .. .. 3 Charwomen . . . . .. 20 Nurses . . . . .. . . 7 Cooks .. .. .. ..97 Pantry-maids .. .. .. 9 Generals .. .. .. 82 Porters and page-boys. . .. . . 8 Governesses . . .. . . . . 3 Saleswomen .. . ." . . . . 1 Housemaids and waitresses . . 173 Seamstresses . . . . . . . . 2 Housekeepers .. . . 44 Wards-maids. . . . . ... 4 Kitchen-maids . . .. . . 14 Kitchen-men . . .. .. .10 Total . . . . . . .. 576 Laundresses . . . . . . 33 Out of these, 130 were married and 446 single. A very great dearth of the domestic known as the " general" has been experienced. Of this class, 532 were applied for, and only 105 women offered themselves for this work. Comfortable homes, especial consideration, and the best of good wagps—ranging from 15s. to £1 ss. weekly—have been freely offered, but in comparison few women can be induced to accept this class of employment ; they say that " the general's work is never done," also that they " can get quite as good wages, shorter hours, more liberty, and cleaner work in other branches of domestic employment." This dearth, of course, is felt keenly by the many mothers who sadly require help, and can only afford to keep one maid. Immigration. In reference to this subject, I have to say that the steamers bringing immigrants to our port have been met by me, and all women classified as domestics have been interviewed. Employment, and any assistance which the office can render, has been offered, but only a limited mimber have availed themselves of this, a big majority stating they " did not want work," or that they " had friends to go to." My experience in connection with this question has been very disappointing, and, from investigations that I have made, I have been led to come to the conclusion that the majority of those women who secure passages as domestics are not what they represent themselves to be ; they are principally mill and factory workers, who evidently have commenced to work at an early age. They show a very little knowledge of domestic training, and, strange to add, they generally demand a good increase above the ruling wage, which rate of wages they say they were led to expect from representations made to Them before they lefi the Home-land, and which wage is out of all reason in comparison with their qualifications. I would like to suggest that a better system of selection be adopted, as the present has proved anything but satisfactory. I have, &c, H. R. Morrison, The Secretary, Labour Department, Wellington. Officer in Charge.

WELLINGTON. Sir, — Department of Labour (Women's Branch), Wellington; 29th April, 1909. I have the honour to submit my annual report for the period ending 31st March last. The office was opened on the Ist June, 1908, and has thus been in existence for ten months. Central oflices were obtained in Boulcott Street, and a wide advertisement was given to its establishment by means of circulars and Press notices. An average of 63 women has been assisted monthly since the opening, or a total over the whole period <>f 630. Careful record has been kept of the number of applications by employers for servants, and also of the number of women and girls applying for work, and details have been regularly published in the Department's monthly Journal. Quite apart from the work obtained for domestics, several women and girls have been placed in employment in other branches—namely, as shop-assistants, typistes, dressmakers, machinists, seamstresses, &c.

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