H.—44.

The Wellington Association held its seventh annual exhibition in conjunction with the Wellington Winter Show Association, the 12,000 ft. of floor-space for exhibition purposes being entirely taken by manufacturers' exhibits. The association this year again held a " Made in New Zealand " week from the 22nd to the 30th May in co-operation with retailers, over 500 windows being devoted to the exclusive display of New Zealand manufacturers. The Christchurch Association held its annual winter show in the King Edward Barracks in May last, and an attendance of 69,381 persons was recorded. The exhibition will be held again this year, and will be the last occasion on which the Barracks will be used for this purpose. It has recently been announced by the Canterbury Association that tenders will be called shortly for the erection of the proposed Hall of Industries in Moorhouse Avenue. The proposed building will cost approximately £25,000, will be specially designed for exhibition purposes, and will be the official "headquarters of the association. The association is to be congratulated on the progressive step taken. The Dunedin Association again featured a " Made in New Zealand " week, which was heartily supported by the retailers in the city and suburbs, over 450 windows making comprehensive displays of New Zealand manufactures. During this " week " the association embarked on a campaign to obtain signatures to a pledge "To ask first for New-Zealand-made goods." It is reported that a great number of citizens have definitely pledged themselves to support New Zealand industries. In November last the Dunedin Association, in conjunction with other organizations, held an industrial exhibition and carnival, the proceeds of which were devoted to the Cancer Research Fund. As a result the substantial sum of £3,000 was handed over to the Research Fund. The Manufacturers' Federation held its annual conference during the year, and among the more important matters discussed was the question of the appointment of a Dominion organizer and a permanent central office which would operate continuously in the interests of Dominion manufacturers. In view of present economic conditions, the time was considered inopportune for the appointment of a permanent organizer. Another matter of importance was the consideration of the adoption of a New Zealand trade-mark which would be the national emblem for goods manufactured in the Dominion. Regulations have been drawn up and a competitive design has been accepted by the federation. It is hoped shortly to have the design registered and generally adopted by New Zealand manufacturers. It has been the practice of the Department to stage exhibits at various winter shows and exhibitions, advocating the use and consumption of New-Zealand-made goods. During the past year, owing to the financial stringency, the Department participated in only one exhibition. The "exhibit referred to was shown at the Dunedin exhibition and carnival held for the purpose of raising funds for the cancer-research campaign. The exhibit took the form of rotating graphs showing by symbols and statistics the growth of New Zealand industries. Transparencies depicting the scenic attractions of the Dominion were also featured. STATISTICS RELATING TO MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. The figures for the latest year available —1929-30 —show increases both in regard to number of employees engaged and wages paid, and also increases in value of products and added value. This latter item has increased by approximately £1,000,000, and is the most satisfactory indication of the progress of manufacturing industries. The figures also reveal a decrease in the extent to which it has been necessary to work short time in the factories, receding from 1,220,370 hours in 1928-29 to 1,115,640 hours for the year under review. The sawmilling industry contributed 307,648 hours to the total short time recorded for the year. Analyses of the data for the various industries disclose the following principal differences between the years 1929-30 and 1928-29

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, ,„,„ , Increase, 1929-30, Year ended 31st March, OTer 1928-29. 1929. 1930. Absolute. Per Cent. Establishments (number) .-.'• .. 5,136 5,177 41 0-80 Persons engaged— Males (number) 67,174 68,442 1,268 1-89 Females (number) 16,506 17,355 849 5-14 Total (number) ;'.. .. 83,680 85,797 2,117 2-53 Salaries and wages paid— £ £ £ To males .. .. 15,413,399 j 15,870,516 457,117 2-88 To females 1,675,346 1,750,948 75,602 4-51 Total 17,088,745 17,621,464 532,719 3-12 Motive power (horse-power) .. .. 463,666 587,552 123,886 26-72 £ £ £ Cost of materials used .. .. 59,870,570 59,208,807 -661,763 -1-11 Value of products 93,172,222 93,464,526 292,304 0-29 Added value 33,301,652 34,255,719 954,067 2-86 Value of— £ £ £ Land and buildings .. .. 24,118,549 25,446,809 1,328,260 5-51 Plant and machinery .. .. 43,219,448 46,208,345 2,988,897 6-92 Total .. .. .. 67,337,997 71,655,154 4,317,157 6-41 Note. —The minus sign ( —) denotes decrease.