H.—ll

V

The following table shows bow the wages were distributed amongst the leading trades:

Wages paid in the several Trades, 1st April, 1908, to 31st March, 1910.

It will be noted that there have been decreases in the wages paid in the following trades: Woodworking, iron and metal, stone, clay, and mineral, paper ami cardboard ; and ship building and repairing. No doubt the depression suffered in the building and iron trades is responsible for some of the 1 lei rcases shown. The figures published by the Department as to wages deal with the twelve months prior to 31st March. 1910, and, seeing that since that time the building trades have assumed their normal activity. 1 feel confident that our next returns will show a better result. As to the iron trades, the outlook is not so promising. The special inquiry instituted by the Government during the last, fewmonths will, no doubt, elicit much valuable information. Large increases are shown in the wages paid in food ; leather-working : light, heat, and power ; and miscellaneous trades. The total increase in wages paid over the previous return is £90,129.

Factories in New Zealand.

Wages paid during the Years Class. Increase. 1™***« Feroentage. 1909-10. 1908-9. £ £ £ Food trades .. .. .. .. 1,226,817 1,157,058 69,759 6-0 Clothing trades .. .. .. .. 847,688 844,621 3,067 (»■ I Printing and stationery trades .. .. 379,434 366,861) 12,565 :!• I Leather-working trades .. .. .. 363.751 348,454 15,300 II Light, heat, and power trades .. .. 163,316 117,879 15,436 9-1 Chemical and by-product trades .. .. 100,680 !>i>,267 8,413 ( .M Watch and jewellery trades .. .. 19,469 15,582 3,887 8-1 Basket and wicker trades .. .. .. 17,873 17.281 592 34 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 556,384 191,921 64,463 13-1 Decrease. Woodworking trades .. .. .. 958,902 1,035,489 76,587 Iron and metal trades .. .. .. 1.005.11! 1,018,657 I:!. 213 Stone, clay, and mineral trades .. .. 214,543 222,901 8,358 Paper and cardboard trades.. .. .. ; 22,150 24,504 2,345 Ship building and repairing trades .. .. 74,608 77,458 2,850 Totals .. .. .. 5,981.070 5,89()."i I 90,129 * Tin- total wages paid in Eaotories, as .shown in the various tables, are for the twelve months ending :ilsi March, 1910 -tlie figures for 1910—1 I. for instance, will not be obtainable from the employers until later.

Auckland City Wellington City ( Ihristohuroh <' i 1 \ - .. Dunedin City *Northern District .. Taranaki District ♦Wellington District Marlborougfa Dist rid Nelson District, West lam I District . . 'Canterbury Distriot „ ' Ol ago District 1 Southland Distriol Industrial District. ikland City lli'!"li)ii City istohuroh <Sty .. ledin City )rthern District .. anaki District . . ellington District rlborough Dist rid sun District stland District .. nterbury District Itago District southland Distriot Number of Persons engaged. Number of Workrooms employing Male Employees. Female Employees. ; a a™ Age .„„ ,„„ Age M 5"tl Up to 8 3 °S A A «S- A "5ff"j H |s Per i s . || | il ■ '• 627 1,265 6,310 579 1,053 I.r>2:! 11,357 1,251 214 94 1,559 1 :!44 75(1 4,100! :S88 707 1.27:! 7,562 1,148 913 161 46 1.120 294 1,048 5,323 267 1,067 1.892 9,891 1,365 1,174 154 65 1,393 364 963 5,028 345 l,093 ! 1,845 9,638 1,067 1,010 147 64 1,221 39ft 630 4,025! 106 23ll 265 5,593 1,326 1,357 153 21 1,531 llo 219 1,425 54 83 100 1,991 580 616 40 3 658 394 1,045 5,946 209 466 586 8.646 2,346 2,168 234 20 2,422 25 78 520 3 32 25 683 168 170 L6 I 187 69 142 700 22 65 89 1,087 387 329 28 3 360 93 190 1,084 58 109 102 1,642 381 350 56 1 407j 183 383 2,171 101 193 333 3,364 892 915 71 7 993! 100 252 951 46 113 206 1,668 513 512 30 5 547' 198 414 2,167i 86 175 242 3,282 574 622 86 8 716i I I ■ ■ 3,137 7,385 39.750! 2,264 5,387 8.48166,404 12.386 11,386 1,390 338 13,114 £ 027 344 2! 14 364 sm 110 394 25 69 93 183J lOOj 198 1,265 750 1,048 963 630' 219 1,045 78 142| L96 383 252 414 Number of Persons engaged. 5J 1,032,607 750,580 855,478 800,287 500,818 197,444 812,611 56,378 90,568 168,722 280,196 143,377 292,004 5,981,070 3,137 7.385 338 13,114 5.(181.(17(1 * Excluding Auckland, Wellington; Chrlstohuroh, and Danedln (litics respectively. * Exclu idhig Ail