H.—ll

IV

Now that the ground has been so thoroughly covered, it would be wise, I suggest, to make a somewhat similar inquiry at regular intervals —say, at intervals of two years —to ascertain if the shortages still obtain. It is only by keeping in close and constant touch with manufacturers that the true state of affairs can be gauged. In respect to the work of the Department's employment branches, the following have received practical assistance since the Department's formation : —

The total number of men assisted by the Department during the year shows an increase over 1911-12; in that year 5,735 were assisted or sent to employment, as against 5,848 in 1912-13 (increase 113). Of the number assisted in 1912-13, 1,639 were married and 4,209 were single men and widowers. Of the total, 3,705 were sent to or given assistance to private employment, and 2,143 were sent to Government works. During the early spring and summer a steady demand set in for farm workers. The demand continued right up to the end of the year under review. The number of hands required was not available, and the Department found the utmost difficulty in getting labour for farmers, especially for the dairy-farmers in the Taranaki District. A distinct shortage of men was experienced also in the cheese-factories, the vacancies took some time to fill. A total of 719 farm hands was assisted to employment by the Department. The great majority of these hailed from overseas, and, beyond having a physical capacity and desire for such work, were not specially experienced or trained, in farm-work. Farmers find the immigrants, as a general rule, to be adaptable and capable, and those possessing a real desire to learn the work turn out very satisfactory workmen. There is one feature in regard to the assistance afforded to men by the Department which is deserving of special mention. The sum of £2,100 was voted by Parliament last year for the purpose of assisting men by means of advancing their fares to both Government and private employment. Of this vote £1,921 was expended, and £1,842 has been recovered from the men, representing 96 per cent, of the amount advanced. In the previous year the percentage was 946. The result for 1912-13 constitutes a record, and lam doubtful whether any other Labour Department can show such a result. FACTORIES ACT. In last year's report it was stated that a separate appendix to the report embodying a new system of industrial statistics was under preparation. So far as each district is concerned this appendix was duly completed and issued early this year as Table I, and attached to this year's report will be a further appendix showing the result (for the same year) as for the whole of New Zealand (Tables II and III). Table II will show the results divided into the various industries (for example, the workers engaged in, say, the meat-freezing industry generally throughout New

Year. Total. Married. Single. Dependants. Private Work. Government Work. 1891-92 1892-93 1893-94 1894-95 1895-96 1896-97 1897-98 1898-99 1899-1900 ... 1900-1 1901-2 1902-3 1903-4 1904-5 1905-6 1906-7 1907-8 1908-9 .1909-10 1910-11 1911-12 1912-13 2,593 3,874 3,341 3,030 2,871 1,718 2,035 2,115 2,147 3,124 1,830 3,704 2,860 3,130 6,712 7,393 6,305 10,391 8,506 7,102 5,735 5,848 1,054 1,808 1,836 2,007 1,880 1,084 1,163 1,178 1,115 1,326 713 1,492 777 953 2,027 1,427 1,440 2,538 2,987 2,181 1,407 1,639 1,539 2,066 1,505 1,023 991 634 872 937 1,032 1,798 1,117 2,212 2,083 2,177 4,685 5,966 4,865 7,853 5,519 4,921 4,328 4,209 4,729 7,802 7,942 8,883 8,424 4,719 4,928 4,759 4,471 5,432 2,747 5,934 3,085 3,425 7,351 4,187 4,408 7,510 10,164 8,454 4,233 5,122 1,730 2,518 1,019 894 708 652 544 638 486 519 396 580 1,216 1,960 1,929 2,718 2,977 4,190 5,059 4,251 3,450 3,705 863 1,356 2,322 2,136 2,163 1,066 1,491 1,477 1,661 2,605 1,434 3,124 1,644 1,170 4,783 4,675 3,328 6,201 3,447 2,851 2,285 2,143 Totals 96,364 34,032 62,332 128,709 42,139 54,225