H.—44,

Industrial Investigations, Inquiries, and Surveys. —A variety of investigations, inquiries, and surveys were undertaken in relation to many industries and articles of manufacture. The following is a list of subjects covered under this heading : Gas-stoves, afforestation, coal, woollens, clothing, footwear, agricultural implements, paint and oils, soap, brush and broom, tanning, furnishings, wool-grease, canned peas, tinplate clippings, cash-order trading, thyrodone, woolpacks, fruit, meat-meal, cosmetics, shellfishpowder, glass-silver and mirror manufacture, machinery for applying plaster, iron fencing-standards, baby-carriages, cork, cordage and rope, fellmongers and exporters of pickled pelts, roofing-tiles, limeworks, prices of sisal and manila hemp, Australian hardwoods, sheet iron for enamelling, New Zealand wheat harvest, lime for top-dressing, agricultural implements, utilization of scrap iron, &c., tailoring trade, emulsion, glass jars for pastes, coal and electric ranges, milk, oranges, wood-pulp, terrazzo work, nails, advertising, bricks, cement, coal lime, sulphur, sand shingle, metal, sheet lead, sugar, tobacco, accoustical material, aerated waters, aluminium ware, auto-economizers, benzol, bottle-wrappers, bran and pollard, calcomine and distemper, camelback rubber, canned pineapples, canning of crayfish, cases for packing crayfish, cattle-food from sea-weed, certificates of origin for shipments of casings, chrome leather, cinematograph projectors, clothes-pegs, coal-sacks, concrete products, corn brooms, crown seals, copper pipe fittings, cube sugar, deaf appliances, fibre board, fibrous plaster, glass-manufacture, gypsum, implement-manufacture, machinery, Japanese goods, knitted ware, electric-light bulbs, magnesite, shoe-socks, metal products, microscopes, milking-machines, shearing-machines, parchment lamp-shades, phosphate and soda, kauri-gum, sound heads, steel supplies, sugar boundaries, surgical footwear, swordfish-liver oil, tiles, tung-oil, variation of Government contracts, vinegar and brandy, wool-scouring, canned rabbits, gloves, hair waving equipment, leather belting, marble, vitreous enamel signs, flexible cords and appliances, wool-tops, ammonium polysulphide, Christmas crackers, and ghee. In connection with many of the investigations, &c., mentioned it was necessary to extend the scope of the inquiry to embrace several localities, and in certain cases the whole of the Dominion. Other of the activities not previously mentioned in this report embrace inquiries undertaken on behalf of the organization for national security ; visits by departmental officers to factories in order to acquaint the Government with new developments and with certain problems facing manufacturers, and to lend all possible assistance and advice to the manufacturers concerned ; the compilation of data respecting manufacturing industries ; placing possible buyers in touch with manufacturers of certain goods ; furnishing letters of introduction to manufacturers requiring contacts overseas ; generally implementing the policy of fostering a buyer's preference for New-Zealand-made goods ; and in other directions seeking to assist manufacturers and traders, with the object of increasing the efficiency and extent of the manufacturing industries. CONCLUSION. In presenting this report covering the main features of the work of the Department of Industries and Commerce during the past twelve months I desire, in conclusion, to acknowledge the helpful cooperation which has been received at all times from the various Consuls, Vice-Consuls, Trade Commissioners, and other representatives of overseas countries resident in the Dominion. The ready assistance received from other Government Departments is also gratefully acknowledged. The year has been marked by further expansion in the work of the Department which has necessitated considerable pressure of work on the New Zealand and overseas staS throughout the period. During the immediate past year, 1937, a record was established in relation to the external trade of New Zealand, with exports the highest yet recorded, and imports only exceeded on one occasion, the year 1920. Similarly, the latest figures relating to the manufacturing industries of the Dominion indicate new record high levels in regard to production and labour employed, and illustrate strikingly the marked expansion which has taken place in the manufacturing industries. The monetary position is sound ; and in the distributive field increased activity is apparent; and a general betterment in industrial conditions prevails. Finally, reports which have been received from the various centres indicate that in regard to trading and manufacturing conditions most trades and industries experienced a good year. While in some instances difficulties were experienced, the protection afforded by tariff adjustments towards the close of the period provided considerable stimulus to most of these. It can be said that, in general, the year covered by this report has been a good one both industrially and commercially.

5—H. 44,

33