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before Councils of Conciliation, the remaining twelve being adjusted satisfactorily without their assistance. The following is a list of the industrial unions concerned :— New Zealand Tailoresses. Hawke's Bay Trawlers. Wanganui Butchers. Wanganui Drivers. Picton Freezers. Wellington Pastrycooks. New Zealand Bootmakers (male). New Zealand Bootmakers (female). Wellington Carpenters. Wellington Gas-stokers. Wellington Cab-drivers. Wellington Bricklayers. Hawke's Bay Drovers and Shepherds. Napier Carpenters. Westland Engine-drivers. Inangahua Miners. Denniston Engine-drivers. Wellington Pullers. Manawatu Flax-mills. Grey Valley Workers. New Zealand Federated Slaughtermen. Nelson Painters. Wellington Cooks and Waiters. Napier Tailors. Westland Bakers. Wellington Waterside Workers. Grey Valley Miners (Coal). Grey Valley Coal-miners. The above list, should, I think, be of a reassuring nature to those who are interested in the success of this industrial legislation. It is, however, rather premature yet to hazard any opinion as to its ultimate results, as it is quite possible that while many of the disputes dealt with under the new system could have been settled or arranged to the satisfaction of both parties without any special legislation, it is equally certain that the appointment of an official to deal specially with industrial difficulties has been a wise proceeding, as it gives an opportunity of intervening between parties during critical periods, and of preventing, by means of conciliatory methods, industrial disturbances from becoming acute and prolonged struggles between employers and employees. Of the 28 disputes mentioned, 23 were of the ordinary character —viz., applications for improved conditions in respect to wages and hours, &c, while with the remaining 5 the difficulty appeared to be of a more, pronounced nature, and involved the suggestion of temporary cessation of employment. In three of these matters work had actually ceased, but through the effect of conciliation, the obstacles were overcome and a resumption of employment followed immediately. The outlook for the ensuing twelve months is of a satisfactory nature, and it is not anticipated that any industrial difficulty that may arise will be of great magnitude. Some slight alterations to the existing Act, such as those already suggested by your Department —viz., providing facility (1) for making industrial agreements arrived at by the parties into awards, and (2) for giving an opportunity to parties to signify their objection to recommendations of Conciliation Councils —failing which, such to become binding —will have a tendency to further improve this measure. It is most satisfactory to be able to state that during the whole of the many conferences held between employers and employees there has never been the slightest ill-feeling displayed between the parties, and business has been arranged in a satisfactory and amicable manner. I have to thank you and your staff for valuable assistance given me during the course of the year; and in a special manner I consider that those representatives of employees and employers who assisted in bringing about satisfactory arrangements of disputes during the past twelve months are entitled to every possible credit. I have, &c, P. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner for the Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland Districts. The Secretary for Labour, Wellington.

CHRISTCHURCH. Report of Conciliation Commissioner for the Canterbury and the Otago and Southland Industrial Districts for the Year ending 31st March, 1910. Sir,— Christchurch, 19th April, 1910. I have the honour to submit the following report on the working of the conciliation provisions of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act in the above districts during the year. During the period mentioned 42 industrial matters have been dealt with, in which 27 agreements were arrived at and 12 partially made. In 3 instances were no settlements made. In 27 instances the disputes were heard before Councils of Conciliation, the remaining 15 being amicably arranged by the parties themselves, with myself acting in the capacity of chairman. The following unions of workers were concerned in the disputes mentioned : — (1. Re quarrymen. r,. ■, , i r, ,T , 12, „ general labourers. Christchurch General Labourers-,, b . , . . a. ~ grain and wool store employees. U. „ „ „ (Timaru). Canterbury Cycle-workers.