LI

H.—ll

The declared value of foreign and intercolonial trade was £1,600,388. The estimated value of coastal trade is .£750,000. The port continues to hold the third position in New Zealand in regard to the shipment of mutton and lamb, 804,100 carcases having been shipped during the year, this being an increase of over 150,000 more than the previous year. Besides these, the principal exports were: Wool ami skins, 42,727 bales; grain, .'577,587 sacks; Hour, 172,849 sacks; oatmeal, bran, and sharps. 90,426 sticks; and potatoes, 39,436 sacks. Factories Act. There were 213 factories registered during the year. The large increase is mainly due to ihe St. Andrew's factories being now registered in Timaru. Six factories enlarged their staffs and paid the additional fees in accordance with the Act. Fifty-nine certificates of litnoss to work in factories have been issued to •'! I girls anil 28 boys under sixteen years of age. The amount of overtime worked by 2-' i.'i boys under sixteen and females was 8,244 hours. Fifty-seven accidents were reported (luring the year, but none were of a serious nature, the majority being cuts ami abrasions sustained by slaughtermen and others employed at the freezingworks; and it is pleasing to note that " first aid " cabinets are provided at these establishments, thus reducing the risk of poisoned wounds. 'I hero have been few accidents connected with machinery, which scums to shoxv that employers are taking precaution to guard their machinery for the protection of the lives and limbs of tho workers. Fourteen informations were laid for breaches of this .Act. ami convictions obtained in all cases but one, which was practically a test case. The factories are in most cases up-to-date ami well equipped, except some in the centre of the borough, whose sanitary arrangements are not at all satisfactory; but. doubtless, when they are connected with the main drainage system, which is not yet completed, there will bo very little to complain about. The occupiers and managers of factories arc generally doing their best to comply with the provisions of the Act, and it is pleasing to note that a good feeling exists between employers anil employees throughout the whole district Every factory registered has been visited at least once during the year; several in the country towns and districts have also been visited, and on the whole these establishments arc well equipped and managed. Sunns and Offices Act. % The number of shops registered during the year was 235. Several small shops ceased operations while several others opened, but no change has been made in any business place of any size. Overtime permits were issued for 189 assistants to work 2,536 hours. On the whole, the Act is working very well, and its provisions are being observed, although a good number of warnings have had to be given. Only five informations under tho Act have been laid ; the defendants have been convicted in each case. The inclusion of licensed ami private hotels under the Act by the. 1910 amendment has given a little trouble, and 1 feel confident that in numbers of cases the provisions arc not being complied with; but it is very difficult to get any reliable evidence of breaches, but as time goes on I feel sure that employers will adjust their business so as to thoroughly comply with the Act. Servants' Registry Offices Act. There were live offices registered under this Act during the year. They arc conducted according to the requirements of the Act. but I have to state that the practice of charging fees to employees only is still in vogue. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Ait. This Act. together with tho awards and industrial agreements made under same, is continuing lo work rwy well, ami employers ami employees generally strive i ake themselves conversant with the provisions contained therein, and. on the whole, observe them well. Twenty-five cases for enforcements of awards have been taken before the Stipendiary Magistrate, and penalties have been imposed in 11) instances. In I case a breach was recorded xvithout penalty, 1 wore dismissed, and in I a nonsuit was entered to enable proceedings to be commenced Je novo in the Arbitration Court (this case is lo be heard at the Court's next sitting). One ease of considerable importance, involving the question of the payment of overtime rates to pieceworkers, under the Tanners and Fellmongers' award, was taken in the Arbitration Court; a breach was recorded, and payment of arrears of overtime accrued amounting to over £170 was made to the workers concerned. The appeals from the Stipendiary Magistrate's decision, referred to in last year's report, under the Threshing Millers' award in reference to posting up oopy of award in galley at camp were heard in the Arbitration Court in July last xvhen the Magistrate's decisions were reversed, ami ihe cases referred hack for fixing amount of penalty. Two cases lor breach of the Act (failing to keep overtime and wages book) have also been taken, and a fine with costs was inflicted in each instance. One case for breach of industrial agreement, in xvhich the Department decided not to prosecute, was taken by the union concerned, and dismissed with costs. Twenty-four under-rate workers permits have been granted mainly under the Carpenters and Joiners' award. A large portion of ih.se permits was issued to applicants who had just completed their apprenticeship, and I am afraid that iii some of these cases employers had failed to give the lads a fair opportunity to learn their trade during their apprenticeship; I am strongly of opinion that the apprentice question should be given earnest consideration, so us to insure the thorough training of good tradesmen.