LXIX

H.—ll

The immigration question has been much in evidence of late. The ladies of Dunedin have held meetings, and as a result propose approaching the Government with a view to urging it to give assistance in obtaining domestic workers from England. The question of bringing girls out to the Dominion requires to be considered from several standpoints, as both the method and manner of work here vary from the conditions obtaining in many households in the Old Country. Experience so far in that direction has not proved an unqualified success, as new arrivals have not always been able to adapt themselves to the changed conditions quite so successfully as may be desired. Much good would be accomplished if the young girls of the Dominion could receive a thorough practical training in household duties, for undoubtedly there is a lack of thoroughly competent workers or " generals " who understand and are able to perform the varied and seemingly minor duties, which are yet essential to a well-regulated home. Some of the girls applying for work are quite ignorant of the commonplace duties of a household ; and the result is a continual change about from place to place. A domestic training-home (or college) would have a tendency to raise the status of the domestic assistant, who, qualified for a certificate of competency, would be a blessing to future homes. The bureau is evidently supplying a much-felt want, and its usefulness and success for the future are very promising. Yours, &c, M. 8. Hale, The Secretary for Labour, Wellington. Officer in Charge.

REPORTS PROM CONCILIATION COMMISSIONERS. AUCKLAND. Report ox the Working of the Conciliation Clauses op the Industrial Conciliation and Arbi tkation Act (as amended Last Year) for the Two Months ending 31st March, 1909. Conciliation Commissioner's Office, Auckland, 14th May, 1909. 1 have held four sittings of the Council of Conciliation during the period referred to. These sittiugs were for the purpose of hearing disputes between the Auckland Hotel and Restaurant Employees' Union and the Restaurant Employers, and also the Auckland Private Hotels and Boardinghouse Employees, Industrial Union of Workers and private hotels and boardinghouse-keepers in the City of Auckland. The hearing of these cases were not completed at the end of the year. I may say that, following the precedents laid down by the Arbitration Court in Otago and Canterbury, I struck out all the private boardinghouses, and left in only those cited who combined the businesses of restaurants and boardinghouses. T. Harle Giles, Conciliation Commissioner, Northern and Taranaki Industrial Districts. The Secretary for Labour, Wellington. CHRISTCHURCH. Report on the Working of the Conciliation Clauses of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act (as amended Last Year) till the 31st March, 1909. Conciliation Commissioner's Office, Christchurch, 6th May, 1909. 1. On the 19th January, hearing there was a likely dispute between the Federated Boot-manu-facturers' Association of New Zealand and their employees, I interviewed the president of the employers' association and the secretary of the union, and arranged a meeting of both sides, when the conditions submitted by the employees to the employers were gone through. It was then decided that the former should go carefully through the conditions with myself, and that then the latter should do the same with me. As no arrangement could be arrived at, it was decided that the dispute should be referred to a Conciliation Council. I subsequently attended a meeting of the Federated Bootmakers' Union of Workers of New Zealand, went through their demands to the employers, and advised them to act in a conciliatory manner. The Conciliation Council was set up, which sat to consider the case, but no agreement was arrived at, and the dispute was referred to the Arbitration Court. 2. Having heard of a dispute between the Christchurch Tramway Board and their employees, 1 waited on the Secretary of the Board, and also the president and vice-president of the employees' union, and arranged with both sides to each appoint three representatives, with full power to enter into an agreement, provided that the Conciliation Commissioner would act as chairman. A conference was held, and an agreement entered into satisfactory to both sides. I send the above particulars to show how I proceed with my work. lam still engaged on similar lines as herein stated in the following disputes : Christchurch Biscuit-makers and Confectioners, Southland Printers, Nightcaps Coal-miners, Christchurch Saddlers, and Christchurch Private Hotels and Restaurants. x—H. 11.

CHRISTCHURCH. Report on the Working of the Conciliation Clauses of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act (as amended Last Year) till the 31st March, 1909. Conciliation Commissioner's Office, Christchurch, 6th May, 1909. 1. On the 19th January, hearing there was a likely dispute between the Federated Boot-manu-facturers' Association of New Zealand and their employees, I interviewed the president of the employers' association and the secretary of the union, and arranged a meeting of both sides, when the conditions submitted by the employees to the employers were gone through. It was then decided that the former should go carefully through the conditions with myself, and that then the latter should do the same with me. As no arrangement could be arrived at, it was decided that the dispute should be referred to a Conciliation Council. I subsequently attended a meeting of the Federated Bootmakers' Union of Workers of New Zealand, went through their demands to the employers, and advised them to act in a conciliatory manner. The Conciliation Council was set up, which sat to consider the case, but no agreement was arrived at, and the dispute was referred to the Arbitration Court. 2. Having heard of a dispute between the Christchurch Tramway Board and their employees, 1 waited on the Secretary of the Board, and also the president and vice-president of the employees' union, and arranged with both sides to each appoint three representatives, with full power to enter into an agreement, provided that the Conciliation Commissioner would act as chairman. A conference was held, and an agreement entered into satisfactory to both sides. I send the above particulars to show how I proceed with my work. lam still engaged on similar lines ac herein stated in the following disputes : Christchurch Biscuit-makers and Confectioners, Southland Printers, Nightcaps Coal-miners, Christchurch Saddlers, and Christchurch Private Hotels and Restaurants.

x—H. 11.