H.—ll.

Complaints were received respecting 440 alleged breaches of the Act, resulting in 35 prosecutions and 260 warnings, In 128 cases investigation showed that no breach had been committed, while in the remaining cases no action was considered necessary. Twenty-four prosecutions were instituted for breaches which were discovered by Inspectors, and warnings were given in other cases, being either first offences or of a minor nature. There were 270 requisitions served to comply with various requirements of the Act, such as for lime-washing; safeguards for workers employed on machinery, &c.; sanitary conveniences; fire-escapes; renovations and structural alterations; heating-appliances; ventilation; first-aid appliances; and dining-rooms in the case of establishments employing over six women and girls and boys under sixteen. Factory Hygiene and Welfare Work. Attention to welfare conditions for female workers has been given by the women Inspectors of Factories in the four chief centres, visits also being made to smaller towns. A special investigation commenced last year in collaboration with officers of the Health Department into the use of injurious solvents, particularly amylacetate in the millinery trade, was responsible for improved conditions for workers using these solvents. Two firms successfully employed chemists to improve the formulae of their solvents.

Boys and Girls in Factories. Certificates of Fitness issued to Boys and Girls under Sixteen Years of Age to Work in Factories.

It is worthy of note that the number of boys under sixteen years commencing work in factories during the year is the highest since 1929-30, and presents a contrast with the figures immediately following that date, while the number of girls commencing work during the year is again high. The total constitutes a record—viz., 2,990 —the previous highest number being 2,823 —viz., in 1929-30. SHOPS AND OFFICES ACT. The Department has no accurate record as to the number of shops and the number of assistants employed therein, but from the information available it is estimated that there were during the year 27,672 shops throughout New Zealand, of which 14,360 (approximately one-half| were carried on without assistants. In the shops with assistants there were employed 21,385 males and 20,113 females. During the year visits of inspection to the number of 14,016 were made, and where possible wages-books were examined to see that the provisions of the Unemployment Act, 1930, and its amendments had been complied with in respect of the deduction of the emergency unemployment charge. Prosecutions numbered 314; convictions were obtained in 221 cases. A number of cases were withdrawn; fines totalled £294 19s. Complaints were received respecting 727 alleged breaches of the Act, resulting in 93 prosecutions and 397 warnings. In 201 cases investigations showed that no breach had been committed, while in the remaining cases no action was considered necessary. Two hundred and twenty-one prosecutions were instituted for breaches which were discovered by Inspectors, and warnings were given in other cases, being either first offences or of a minor nature. Fifty-five requisitions were served on occupiers of shops to comply with various requirements of the Act, such as for sanitary conveniences, heating appliances, lunch-room or seating accommodation, ventilation, and partitions.

3

Year. ; Boys. Girls. Total. Year. Boys. Girls. Total. . 1916-17 .. .. 1,158 1,251 2,409 1930-31 .. .. 655 1,059 1,714 1931-32 .. .. 420 843 1,263 1926-27 .. .. 1,199 1,547 2,746 1932-33 .. .. 509 1,067 1,576 1927-28 .. .. 1,030 1,614 2.644 1933-34 .. .. 510 1,283 1,793 1928-29 .. .. 981 1,603 2,584 1934-35 .. .. 791 2,011 2,802 1929-30 .. .. 1,077 1,746 2,823 1935-36 .. .. 1,026 1,964 2,990