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1919, NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR (REPORT OF THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

E E P O R T. The Secretary, Department of Labour, to the Right Hon. the Minister of Labour. Sir, — Department of Labour, Wellington, 26th August, 1919. I have the honour to present herewith, the twenty-eighth annual report of this Department, for the information of His Excellency the Governor-General, and to be laid before Parliament, in compliance with the Labour Department and Labour Day Act, 1908, and the Factories Act, 1908. The report covers the financial year Ist April, 1918, to 31st March, 1919. I have, &c, F. W. Rowley, The Right Hon. the Minister of Labour. Secretary of Labour. Conditions of Trade and Employment. I have again to report that during the year little difficulty has been experienced in finding suitable work for applicants ; nearly all tradesmen have been fully employed, and in several, districts it has been found impossible to fill existing vacancies. An interesting step in connection with the improvement of the conditions of employment in the civilized countries of the world was taken by the representatives at the recent Peace Conference where it was decided to hold an International Labour Conference at Washington in October next. The purpose of this Conference is set out as follows : — 1. The organization of an International Labour Office, established by the Peace Treaty at the seat'of the League of Nations, whose functions shall include— (a.) The collection and distribution of information on all subjects thejnternational $J adjustment of conditions of industrial life and labour ; (u.)jThe examination of subjects which it is proposed to with tD if a view to the conclusion of international conventions ; and (c.) The conduct of such special investigations as may be ordered by the Conference.

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