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this connection ; their activities ceased immediately spring came in, which brought with it the usual demand for country workers. The experiment made in the co-operation of the Department with the local authorities for the purpose of coping with unusual unemployment shows that such a system is capable of development, and might well be adopted on a future occasion if the necessity arises. On account of the war several trades have been exceptionally busy, especially those engaged in the making of clothing, boots, and saddlery for the troops. In the preparation of the troopships, too, a large army of shipwrights, carpenters, painters, &c, was employed, and considerable overtime was worked. With rare exceptions the hands employed in the various skilled trades have been kept steadily employed since October last. Despite the drought in many districts the primary industries experienced an exceptionally busy season, and at times competent labour was difficult to obtain. It can be safely assumed that the position as far as the labour-supply for farm-work is concerned during the spring and summer of 1915 is likely to be a serious one, owing to the large number of country workers who have left for service abroad in the various Expeditionary Forces. The position is one calling for early action, with a view to ensuring that the crops will be garnered without undue delay. The proposals mentioned in the last report of the Department respecting the guidance of boys, upon their leaving the primary schools, into occupations likely to afford them suitable and regular employment have not been lost sight of. It is felt that the inauguration of such a system should be held over during the progress of the war. Employment of Workers wounded in the War. As the outcome of the war, one of the many problems to be faced will be that of finding suitable employment for those workers who return to New Zealand unable to follow their former occupations. In this connection it is- interesting to note that already some steps have been taken in Austria for the training of workers not only in new methods of the handling of tools, but also in teaching entirely new trades. It is stated, for example,- - " To meet the requirements of wounded and swollen hands, for example, I saw in the carpenters' room hammers made with handles three times the ordinary size, and planes with handles adapted to hands without fingers. Workrooms and classes for twenty-eight trades are now established in the particular school that I visited, and the products of each school are designed to supply, as much as possible, the demands of the hospitals with which it is connected. Tin trays are made by the tinners, sewing is done by the tailors, and boots, chairs, and baskets are being made, and cupboards painted. For men totally incapacitated from following theii former occupations, courses are being installed to teach new trades. Numbers of knitting-machines for legless men have been sent out through the country, and demonstrations have been made to show how man and wife together can use the machine at home. Typewriting is being taught to several, and lists are being prepared of machines which can be successfully operated by incapacitated men. All soldiers who have lost the right arm are taught to write with the left, and one may see a whole room in any of the schools filled with quiet men, whose teacher drops hints here and there." In accordance with your instructions, I hope to be enabled shortly to submit proposals in a similar direction for adoption in New Zealand. Persons assisted by the Men's Bureaux. Since the establishment of the Department in 1891 the following have received practical assistance :—

Year. Total. Married. Single. Dependants, Private Government Work. Work. i i 1891-1901 (ten years) ... 1901-11 (ten years) ... 1911-12 1912-13 1913-14 1914-15 ... j 26,848 ... ! 57,933 ... 5,735 ... 5,848 ... 5,645 ... 7,515 14,451 16,535 1,407 1,639 1,497 2,682 12,397 41,398 4,328 4,209 4,148 4,833 62,089 57,265 4,233 5,122 4,295 8,342 9,708 25,276 3,450 3,705 3,505 3,673 17,140 32,657 2,285 2,143 2,140 3,842 Totals ... 109,524 38,211 38,211 71,313 141,346 49,317 60,207