H.—11.

Number of Men assisted by the Department since Inception to Date.

Factories. There is reason for congratulation in the improved statute which Parliament presented last session to the colony as the Factories Act. Many of its provisions are distinctly in advance of any Previous legislation. I may instance particularly those dealing with hygiene and cleanliness It ?/now possible with the aid of the Health Department to keep not only the factories but he ocalils adjoining factories, in a healthy condition. Formerly, however spotlessly clean the interior of a factory might be kept, however perfect and effective its ventilation might be, all good Result could b e neutralised by the impure state of surrounding properties Indeed, in some cases, the more complete the ventilation and the more outer air admitted into the factory the more foul gaseTand poisonous exhalations penetrated to the lungs of the workers. Nor did local author ties ffther by their own impartial efforts or by alacrity shown in meeting requests of the Factoiy Inspectors prove themselves capable of understanding the gravity of the situation or the necEies ofthe industrial population. When, however, the newly constituted Department of Health "ameintexistence, its appreciation of the fact that vested interests are small mat ers Smpared with he public welfare brought its officers as powerful allies to the aid of the Inspectors and has earned the gratitude of the Department of Labour. There is now no reason why New Zealand should not shortly become a model community so far as its industrial establishments are concerned. The following table shows the increase in the number of factories, and hands employed therein during the last few years : — Factory-workers. Increase. Year. ' 1895 29,879 1896 "" 32,387 2,508 1897 36,918 4,531 1898 39,672 2,754 1899 "" 45,305 5,633 1900 48 > 938 3 6 33 1901 53,460 4,522 1902 (approximate only)* 55,395 1,935 Total increase ... ... ••• ••• 25,516

tba 2 e 3ut MathSSi t U rXn I »S?& -Tha. S are no statists available for this on the 31st March t and the ° ew J^^^ l im The approximate increase of 1,935 persons above given is arrived cannot be given" until the annual report for 1903 appears.

III

Married. Single. Dependautk. Private Wcrk. -ovemmen Work. Year. Total. 1891-92 1892-93 1893-94 1894-95 1895-96 1896-97 1897-98 1898-99 1899-1900 1900-1 1901-2 2,593 3,874 3,341 3,030 2,871 1,718 2,035 2,115 2,147 3,124 1,830 1,054 1,808 1,836 2,007 1,880 1,084 1,163 1,178 1,115 1,326 713 1,539 2,066 1,505 1,023 991 634 872 937 1,032 1,798 1,117 4,729 7,802 7,942 8,883 8,424 4,719 4,928 4,759 4,471 5,432 2,747 1,730 2,518 1,019 894 708 652 544 638 486 j 519 396 863 1,356 2,322 2,136 2,163 1,066 1,491 1,477 1,661 2,605 1,434 28,678 15,164 13,514 64,836 i 10,104 18,574