A.—5G.

• (d) In the case of flax, jute, and hemp, with the operation of retting, except where this operation is effected as work accessory to that of an agricultural undertaking ; (e) In the case of rayon or other synthetic fibre, with the reception of the materials us'ed in the chemical production of the fibre ; (/) In the case of rags, with the sorting of the rags or the reception of the sorted rags ; and (g) In the case of any other textile material, with the operation prescribed by the competent authority as corresponding to the operations set out above. <*, Tie series of operations referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article includes the operations of bleaching, dyeing, printing, and finishing, and similar operations, and ends with the packing and despatch of the products specified in that paragraph. 5. The series of operations referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article includes the making in whole or in part of any garment or other article only in the following cases — (a) The case of hosiery-manufacture ; and (b) Cases in which the garment or other article is made by the same process as the fabric thereof. 6. In any case in which it is doubtful whether an undertaking or branch of an undertaking fulfils the condition stated in paragraph 2 of this Article, the question shall be determined by the competent authority after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned where such exist. 7. Where and so long as the principle of a forty-hour week is applied to persons to whom this Convention applies in accordance with the provisions of any international labour Convention other than this Convention, the competent authority may exclude such persons from the application of this Convention. 8. This Convention applies to persons employed in both public and private undertakings. Article 2. The competent authority may, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, where such exist, exempt from the application of this Convention— (a) Persons employed in undertakings in which only members of the employer's family are employed ; (b) Classes of persons who by reason of their special responsibilities are not subjected to the normal rules governing the length of the working-week. Article 3. 1. For the purpose of this Convention the term " hours of work " means the time during which the persons employed are at the disposal of the employer, and does not include rest periods durinowhich they are not at his disposal. ° 2. Where at the date of the adoption of this Convention it is the practice not to regard time spent in the cleaning or oiling of machines as part of ordinary working-time, the competent authority may permit any time not exceeding one and a half hours in any week which is so spent to be disregarded in reckoning for the purpose of this Convention the hours of work of the persons concerned. & Article 4. 1. The hours of work of persons to whom this Convention applies shall not exceed an average of forty per week. 2. In the oases of persons who work in successive shifts on processes required by reason of the nature of the process to be carried on without a break at any time of the day, night, or week, weekly hours of work may average forty-two. .3. The competent authority shall, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, where such exist, determine the processes to which paragraph 2 of this Article applies. 4. Where hours of work are calculated as an average, the competent authority shall, after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, where such exist, determine the number of weeks over which the average may be calculated and the maximum number of hours that may be worked in any week. Article 5. The competent authority may, by regulations made after consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, where such exist, provide that the limits of hours authorized by the preceding Article may be exceeded to an extent prescribed by such regulations in the case of— (a) Persons employed on preparatory or complementary work which must necessarily be carried on outside the limits laid down for the general working of the undertaking, branch or shift; (b) Persons employed in occupations which by their nature involve long periods of inaction during which the said persons have to display neither physical activity nor sustained attention, or remain at their posts only to reply to possible calls ; (c) Persons employed in connection with the transport, delivery, or loading or unloading of goods.

7