A.—7.

has been effected. Increased activity is apparent in the textile industry, and mim g concessions granted to foreign countries have also assisted in the measure o± prosperi > attained. The execution of the social and economic plan by the Government nas also widened the scope for the employment of workers. T 4l , Japan.—A new Ministry of Welfare has been established m Japan the functions ol which are labour legislation, social work, public health, and the general uplifting ole physical conditions of the people. A national health insurance covers not only the industria wage-earners, but also owners of small undertakings, and peasants, and embraces a _ e types of workers. A Shop Act has been introduced, and various other enactments touching on social legislation have been promulgated. . . , . Canada.—Canada has further extended legislation for the protection of workers m their right of association in unions, for the encouragement of collective agreements, the Ration of minimum wages, training of unemployed young workers, and the care ot those amictea by lack of remunerative employment. A national Employment Commission has recen y submitted a report on the various aspects of unemployment, together with sugge,> ec remedial measures to cope with the position. _ r , ■ n + Estonia.—A Chamber of Labour has recently been set up by the Estonian Government, and considerable labour reforms have been introduced, such as improvement ot conditions of labour of persons employed under contracts of service, which must now 1 educed o writing; night-work in bakeries is prohibited; the hours of work of shop-assistants ave been reduced and overtime restricted, with the provision of a weekly rest ot twenty-tour Jiours to all employees in industry. A system of paid annual holidays has been introduce , with a minimum of fourteen days annually. Compensation is now also paya,b e o agricultural workers, together with free medical assistance and drugs. It is also propose to introduce legislation extending sickness and invalidity insurance to all wage-earneis. Peru.—Peru is enjoying a period of marked prosperity, due largely to the extended development of the mineral and agricultural resources of the country, allied to an increase in foreign trade and a programme of necessary public works. A complete labour code now operates throughout the country governing conditions of labour m practically every branch of industry. A compulsory insurance scheme covers maternity, invalidity, and old age for the benefit of workers in industry, commerce, and agriculture. . Uruguay.—Much has been accomplished by the Uruguayan Government during recent years in the field of social and labour legislation. The building of cheap houses is being undertaken, legislative measures have been introduced covering such matters as hygiene in factories, industries, agriculture, and commerce. The problem of scientific nutri ion 01 the people has been taken up, and to this end some fifty-five thousand restaurants have been opened by the Government, operating under a special institute of scientific nutrition, tor the provision of balanced meals at low cost. In addition, municipal centres tor the sac and distribution of meat and milk at reasonable prices are also being set up. the employment of women in industry is prohibited between the hours of .) p.m. and b a.m., and it is proposed to introduce legislation shortly allowing for State intervention m the conclusion of contracts between the employer and employed. Hungary.—ln Hungary the eight-hour day has been introduced, with a maximum weekly total of forty-eight, hours to all workers. Minimum wages have been established in several industries affecting 51 per cent, of all industrial workers. Although a system of paid holidays was previously in vogue, legislative action has recently been taken in this direction to increase the benefits, and additional paid holidays are now gran ,ec according to length of service. The subdivision of large estates into small _ agricultural holdings has recently been undertaken, and provision is made for old-age insurance to agricultural workers. Luxemburg.—Luxemburg was represented at the Conference tor the first time, and has passed considerable social legislation during the past twelve months, following on the visit of an official of the International Labour Office. . , , , , . Ecuador. —Ecuador, according to the Government delegate, is somewhat backward m social legislation, owing to the fact that the large majority of the workers of that country are emploved in agriculture and are of an indigenous type. Up to date it has not been possible to legislate for this type of worker, but steps are being taken to follow the lead ot more advanced countries in industrial legislation, and already an improvement has been Great Britain,—Great Britain reports the adoption of a new Factory Act for improved provision for safety, health, and welfare in factories and the further limitation of the hours of work for women and juveniles. An Act has been passed dealing with night baking; and unemployment insurance has been extended to a further million workers, including agricultural workers, bringing the total of those so insured to fifteen million. Steps are being taken to ensure adequate wages to employees m transport industries; and measures are being introduced to facilitate holidays with pay, together with the improvement of wages and conditions, to employees in the coal industry. . Switzerland. —Switzerland! according to the Government delegate, is suffering to some extent from an economic depression; but he asserted that the country was at industrial peace, due to a large extent to the conditions of employment, the efforts made by the Government to deal with unemployment, and to the conciliatory spirit adopted by both employer and employed in negotiating voluntary agreements.

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