H.—ll.

1902. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR (REPORT OF THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Secretary, Department of Labour, to the Hon. the Minister of Labour. Department of Labour, Wellington, 7th June, 1902. Sir — I have the honour to present herewith the eleventh annual report of this Department. It covers the late financial year—viz., from the Ist April, 1901, to the 31st March, 1902. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Labour. Edward Tregear, Secretary.

It is my pleasant duty once more to report a prosperous year for the labouring-classes in New Zealand. The steadiness of employment, the extension of industries, and the improvements in regard co wages, hours of work, overtime pay, &c, have made the position of the workers generally more endurable than it has been for many years. Trade and business within the colony have been phenomenally active, as the increased yields in many departments of public revenue (notably the Government railway returns) disclose. In i—H. 11.