H.—l4.

In several cases the increases shown above are more apparent than real— e.g., Census and Statistics Department has been separated from the Industries and Commerce, Tourist, and Publicity Department, and in the Labour Department many of the present staff were previously on the relieving staff of the Internal Affairs Department. Staff increases generally have been occasioned by expansion of business and by the increased activities of Government by legislation bringing various bodies under Government control. The following instances are given : — Audit Department: Increased staff was due to the expanding activities of other Departments and the additional work caused by the Government assuming control of services not previously subject to Government audit —e.g., Marketing, Broadcasting. Broadcasting Department: The New Zealand Broadcasting Board was created a Government Department under section 6 of the Broadcasting Act, 1936. Customs Department: The volume of work• performed has increased greatly owing mainly to the sales tax. More than £3,000,000 was collected under this heading for the year ended 31st March, 1937. The rate per cent, of collection of all revenue by the Customs Department is only 17s. 4d. Industries and Commerce, Tourist, and Publicity Department: Increased stafi was necessary owing to expansion of activities. Additional work arising out of the formation of the Bureau of Industry, price investigations, &c., could be met only by increasing the stafi. Labour Department: The large increase in stafi shown has been due to (a) unemployment and (b) amending industrial legislation. A large staff was necessary to deal with the problems and the detailed work arising out of unemployment. The Employment Branch first came into being m December, 1930. The rapid increase in the number of unemployed from that time onward resulted in additional staff being appointed, mainly by transfer from Departments showing a falling-off in activities. Happily the numbers of unemployed are now oh the decrease, and the staff position in this Department is being closely watched. Additional duties have arisen through the formation of the State Placement Service. On the industrial side it has been essential to add to the number of Inspectors owing to the industrial legislation passed by Parliament. Land and Income Tax Department: The large increase shown is due to the taking-over of all work arising out of the collection of employment tax. These duties were previously undertaken by the Post and Telegraph Department. It was felt, however, that a more efficient check could be exercised and overlapping would be reduced to a minimum if this work were transferred to the Land and Income Tax Department. Owing to increase of business the Post and Telegraph Department was also anxious to obtain the services of their officers engaged on these duties. Cadets have been appointed, and as these become proficient in their duties, the Post and Telegraph officers are being returned to their parent Department. Mental Hospitals Department: The average number of patients resident in mental hospitals increased from 5,710 for the year ending 31st December, 1929, to 7,288 for the year ending 31st December, 1936. The villa system has also been gradually extended during past years. Working-hours of attendants and nurses have been reduced from fifty-three hours per week to approximately forty-two hours per week. Coincident with the alteration in working-hours an extra shift was provided to cover evening hours, so that a larger number of patients should be enabled to sit up to a reasonably late hour. The increase in staff was occasioned by the above. Native Department: It has been necessary to add to the staff owing to increased activities in Maori welfare, Native-land development, and Native employment schemes. Pensions Department: Additional staff has been appointed following the passing of recent pensions legislation and the increase in the number of pensioners. Primary Products Marketing Department: This Department was formed under the provisions of the Primary Products Marketing Act, 1936. Public Trust Department: Expansion of business has necessitated increased staff. Public Works Department: The resumption of development work held up during the years of depression and the commencement of further engineering undertakings have resulted in the appointment of further stafi. The Southland Electric-power Supply Act, 1936, provided for the dissolution of the Southland Electric-power Board and the takingover of the activities by the Government. The employees of the Board became members of the staff of the Public Works Department. Scientific and Industrial Research Department: The improvement in conditions generally and increased activities have resulted in increased demands being made on this Department. The extension of air services has necessitated additional appointments to the staff of the Meteorological Office. State Advances Corporation of New Zealand: On the passing of the State Advances Corporation Act, 1936, the stafi of the Mortgage Corporation again became public servants. The transfer from the Lands and Survey Department to the State Advances Corporation of mortgages vested in the Crown in respect of advances made to discharged soldiers and others under the authority of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, and its amendments, took place during 1936-37. The work of this Department was also greatly increased on the passing of the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act, 1936. Transport Department: The duties of this Department have been added to greatly by legislation and the campaign for road safety.

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