H.—ll

XVII

an average of sixteen reports per month, were received from secretaries throughout the Dominion, as against an average of twenty-five for the previous year. Considering the special request on the part of unions to send in reports in respect to the industries in which their members were concerned, it is surprising that the invitation was not more widely accepted, especially when it is noted that the report forms are printed by the Department and supplied free to the unions for the purpose. The apathy in this respect may, however, be attributed to the fact that union officials are generally content to rely upon the accurate information supplied by the Department's officers. Other Publications. During the year Volume x of " Awards, Becommendations, Agreements, &c, under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act " was published. These decisions were issued in eight separate parts as the matter offered, and cover the period between Ist January and 31st December, 1909. The whole of the cases dealt with during the year by the Conciliation Commissioners are printed in this volume. A specially complete index is also issued with this volume. It indexes all accepted recommendations, awards, interpretations, and important enforcements in Volumes i to x inclusive, and also shows those awards, agreements, &c, which have expired. A digest of the decisions is also being published by the Department, and will be ready shortly. This digest will be issued as a supplement to that issued in 1909. These two digests practically summarise the whole of the decisions and interpretations of the Court of Arbitration from the inception of the Act to the 31st December, 1909. Another booklet—being the first supplement —" Digest of Decisions in Workers' Compensation Cases," is also in the press, and will be published shortly. This supplement deals with cases from Ist January, 1908, to 31st December, 1909. Volume viii of cases taken under the Workers' Compensation Act was also issued. This volume contains the whole of the cases decided upon by the Court of Arbitration during the year —Ist January to 31st December, 1909. The Departmental Library. Since the issue of last year's report the library has grown to considerable proportions, and is now housed in a very convenient and well-lighted room in the Head Office of the Department in Ghuznee Street. During the year a very large number of new volumes has been added, particulars of which have been chronicled from time to time in the Labour Journal under the heading of " Becent Accessions," These embrace contributions from the United Kingdom, United States of America, France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, the Argentine Republic, Russia, Hawaii, and also the several States of the Australian Commonwealth, Canada, and South Africa. Among the works received from the United Kingdom it may be well to specially mention a series of volumes being issued giving reports of an inquiry by the Board of Trade as to the cost of living in certain towns of the principal commercial countries, and comparisons are therein drawn, with corresponding facts and figures relating to English towns. The three volumes at present to hand deal respectively with Germany, France, and Belgium, and make very interesting reading. Another series of volumes being published under the same auspices deals in detail with the earnings and hours of labour in the following trades : Vol. i, textile trades ; Vol. ii, clothing trades ; Vol. iii, building and woodworking trades. A set of publications has also been received from the Canadian Department of Labour dealing with the Industrial Disputes Investigation Act, 1907. Several special articles concerning the working of the Act were included in the parcel, and are now deposited in the library. As was stated in last year's report, the library is open to any one who may be interested in the subjects dealt with, and books or pamphlets may be perused by all who wish to do so at any time during ordinary office hours. Valedictory. As this is my last year of service with the New Zealand Government, and as the next annual report will be presented by my successor, I may perhaps be permitted to say a few words of official farewell. The Department of Labour commenced twenty years ago, with myself as its sole representative. Since that time I have seen it grow, little by little, into a strong and efficient arm of the public service. I take pride to think that during my administration it has become composed of as capable, loyal, and trustworthy a staff of men and women officers as could be found in any undertaking of the same character at Home" or abroad. I shall leave my departmental comrades with the deepest regret, but with the utmost confidence in their ability to carry on the work excellently well.

iii—H. 11.