A.—7.

1 here is one further suggestion which I feel bound to make in view of the general situation discussed in the Director's report and in view of what has occurred since that report was written. 1 am one of those who believe that by constructive efforts of the type i have suggested a world catastrophe can be avoided; but that is no reason why we should shut our eyes to the risks and refuse to take out a proper insurance policy for +* ®+ , we v most * seems to me to be urgently desirable, and indeed essential, that the International Labour Organization should be equipped with a reserve fund adequate to ensure the continuance of its work through any period of emergency I do not propose to elaborate this suggestion at this stage, but if sufficient support is forthcoming those who share the views I have just expressed I should welcome an opportunity of moving an urgent Resolution on the subject at a later stage of this Conference. It will hardly be necessary for me to add that the Government which I represent is a iirm believer m the principles and aims set out in the Constitution of the International Labour Organization. The New Zealand Government sees in these principles and aims a potent means of organizing a peaceful wqrld in which the mind of mankind mav concentrate on useful industry and social progress, and to the utmost of its strength and capacity it will embody them in its legislation. tt T ? 37 session ° n f t} 16 Conference the New Zealand Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. . Armstrong, stated that he would recommend the ratification of those of the Conventions that could reasonably be applied in our country, and this assurance has of--™ out p In February last the New Zealand Parliament authorized the ratification ?L!l^ y +^ 0n i VentlonS ' thel^, bem B' 111 both Houses virtually no opposition. The «Tat Npw n 7p ri l d . w f®. covered b y the listing law, but their ratification will indicate that New Zealand is taking seriously its obligations as a member of the International Laboui Organization. Ihe remaining Conventions are now being studied with a view a ° i!? P ™P n actlon > and ' as 80011 as the Parliamentary situation permits, as many as have _an application to New Zealand conditions will be given legislative effect ++ i PaSt T ar the position in New Zealand has been greatly eased, the total numbers unemployed, including those on relief work or sustenance having been reduced to under fifteen thousand in March, .1938. This figure includes eight thousand who have been medically certified as unfit for work includes eight Although some contribution to this betterment has been made by the more prosperous condition of the external market for New Zealand's primary products the iT S nf th IS p ulldoubted ly due to definite acts of Governmental policy. The wide enforcement forty-hour week in and out of the public services, and the restoration of wages and salary cuts and increases of wages (as a result o'f which the total of wages and salaries increased by 42 per cent, between 1935 and 1937), together with a Eepublic worS programme and measures aiming at the absorption in skilled trades of young men who lost the opportunity of apprenticeship during the years of crisis, at the placement of haw SU]ltable remunerative employment, and at the stimulation of important industries have had a marked effect in improving the unemployment situation. ' As it is often argued that such measures as the forty-hour week and ITtKS tal - 6a ? on industrial stability and ZLpmtH will has this result oeenmd Tt. ? accounts nor in the industries themselves surpl us of £810 000 i fili ancia year ended on 31st March last a budgetary r <4, Jy 1 6 o £ o B oor,s s ri r r eS«dirM 3 7 po s ,i0,, ,,;' s = ber of persons employed in them records „e K SSSfcSW °° emtar " M from New Zealand'. With reference to the organization of employment one fruitful activitv mio-lit Hp S pT, ° rr." ? St " te S ™ f ° r Pla< ™ le,lt ot nnemp%ed SrS executive positions can-vine £500 n TM n ti V . , ' a& Placed men m mrnmmmm normal purpose, it now performs some of the functions of a + addl V° n .*? lts geme. Already one Australian State-Vic, ona-has Vetew XS'StoS probably the mostlmportmit taishTg™ The°Kttmt'rf"tta hS""'"b ™ I>loym , e . n '' faced the present Government when it eame into office in I<W m k 8 slorta f e which following figures: the number of marriages Xring 1932 B ' aUg ° d fr T the and the number of building-permits in the period amounted to WM

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