5

H.—ll

The following table shows the number of factories in the four chief cities of the Dominion, classified according to the number of hands engaged at date of annual registration—viz., April, 191.4;—

Wages Statistics for Year 1915-16, The collection of the same data as was collected five years ago concurrently with the 1911 census has been put in hand for the next quinquennia] period —Ist April, 1915, to the 31st March, 1916, Wages and time books have been supplied to all factory-occupiers, who will keep therein [the record of wages paid and time worked, usually kept in compliance with the Factories Act. As the particular occupation, the age, and the sex of each worker will be shown, we shall be again able, as for 1910-IJ, to compile and tabulate very valuable information as to the average earnings and duration of employment of all factory workers, classified in trades, ages, and sex groups. Prosecutions. There were only twenty-one cases taken before the Courts, as against sixty-four in the previous year.- This total of twenty-one is the lowest recorded since the inception of the Act. In all cases convictions were obtained. Overtime. There has been a considerable increase (60,788 hours) in tho overtime worked in factories this year as compared with the period ending the 31st March, 1914, when the hours totalled 274,888, as against 335,676 for the year just ended. The clothing trades have again demanded the most overtime, and although there was a decrease in dress and millinery making of 10,298 hours, this was more than compensated for by the large increase of 30,793 overtime hours worked in men's clothing factories, largely due to the abnormal demand for military clothing. Doubtless for a similar reason ammunition-manufacturing appears for the first time in the overtime table. Other trades showing large amounts of overtime worked are the biscuit and confectionery, hat and cap, laundry, and printing industries. Further particulars are set forth on page 40. As has been previously pointed out, it must not be assumed that the overtime hours recorded were additional to full ordinary hours worked. In many cases while on some occasions it is necessary that overtime be worked, at other periods the factories may not work full time. A reference to a previous paragraph, " Wages Statistics for Year 1915-16 " (above), will show that the question of duration of employment will be more fully dealt with next year than is now possible. Certificates of Fitness issued to Boys and Girls to work in Factories. There is again a decrease in the number of certificates granted to workers under sixteen years of age to work in factories. Last year certificates were granted to 937 boys and 1,251 girls (total, 2,188). This year tho figures arc 952 boys and 1,136 girls (total, 2,088), a decrease of 100.young people. Thus it would appear that, notwithstanding the continued demand on the part of factory-occupiers for youthful assistance, the available supply of boys and girls willing to enter factory life is not sufficient. In this connection it is hoped that the

Town. 30 Hands and under. Factories e employing 31 to 50. 51 to 101to|l51to! 100. | 150. ! 200. 40 8 5 16 5 2 27 6 4 18 8 5 101 27 16 >j 201 to 301 to I 401 to' 300. 400. | 500. Over I Total 600. Factories. I Auckland Wellington Christchurch Dunedin 1,655 1,094 1,223 1,053 49 23 16 27 2 2 .. 2 1 .. 1 2 1 2 1,761 1 1,144 2 1,282 2 1,115 Totals 5,025 1.15 101 7 5 1 5 1 5 5,302