H.—ll.

The Department investigated six alleged breaches of section 15 of the Act, which imposes certain restrictions on the letting or , selling of a dwellinghouse where the landlord has recovered possession on the grounds that the premises are required for his own occupation. Proceedings were taken in three instances and penalties amounting to £25 were imposed. In two cases it was considered that the circumstances did not justify proceedings, while in the remaining case proceedings have been authorized since the end of the year. FOOTWEAR REGULATION ACT. During the year 661 establishments and 1,472 shipments were inspected under this Act, the latter in pursuance of the arrangement made with the Customs Department whereby all imported footwear is examined in the Customs shed before release. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT. The regulations under the Act provides for the reverification of weights, measures, and weighing and measuring instruments in use for trade purposes. The articles verified or reverified during the year are summarized hereunder : — Submitted. Incorrect. Weights 32,667 4,131 Measures .. .. •• •• 2,575 52 Weighing-instruments.. .. .. .. 20,651 2,487 Measuring-instruments .. .. . . .. 6,830 1,246 62,723 7,916 There were also submitted for verification 582,161 bottles —milk, cream, or oil. In addition to the reverification work referred to, the Department has carried out surprise tests of appliances on the owner's premises, the net-weight and standard-weight provisions of the regulations also receiving attention. There were thirty-four prosecutions for various breaches under this Act, convictions being obtained in thirty cases, and fines amounting to £42 10s. being imposed. Verification fees earned totalled £8,655 19s. 4d. (previous year, £9,525 ss. 9d.) ; decrease, £869 6s. sd. During the year the following twenty new designs of weighing and measuring instruments were submitted under clause 4, Part 11, of the regulations for approval for use for trade in the Dominion, viz. :— Weighing — Self-indicating and semi-self-indicating (counter and platform) scales . . 4 Non-self-indicating (counter and platform) scales .. . . 2 Milk scale . . .. . • • • ■ ■ • ■ . . 1 Personal weighing-machines . . . . ■ • • ■ . . 3 Automatic and semi-automatic machines . . . . . . . . 3 Egg-grading instrument .. ... .. • • • • 1 Measuring-capacity — Oil-bottle .. .. • • • • • • ■ • • • 1 Subdivided glass measure .. . . . • ■ • • • .. 1 Petrol-flow meters .. .. .. ■ ■ • ■ • • .. 2 Measuring-length : Linear measuring instruments .. .. . . 2 20 Of these, nine have been approved after modification, four are still under consideration, and seven have been rejected as not complying with the Weights and Measures Act and regulations. Inspections were again made during the year to ensure that the provisions of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act relating to the weight of bread and the provisions of the Weights and Measures Regulations relating to the sale of coal, coke, and firewood were being complied with. INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE. The twentieth session of the International Labour Conference met on the 4th June, 1936, New Zealand being represented by a delegation consisting of one Government representative, one employers' representative, and one workers' representative. The Draft Conventions and Recommendations adopted were presented to the Legislature last session. These were 1. Draft Convention (No. 50) concerning the regulation of certain special systems of recruiting workers. 2. Draft Convention (No. 51) concerning the reduction of hours of work on public works undertaken or subsidized by Governments (persons directly employed on building or civil engineering works financed or subsidized by central Governments). 3. Draft Convention (No. 52) concerning annual holidays with pay. 4. Recommendation (No. 46) concerning the progressive elimination of recruiting. 5. Recommendation (No. 47) concerning annual holidays with pay. In respect of the twenty-first session held on the 6th October, 1936, the draft conventions and recommendations adopted will be tabled this session. These were : 1. Draft Convention (No. 53) concerning the minimum requirement of professional capacity for masters and officers on board merchant ships. 2. Draft Convention (No. 54) concerning annual holidays with pay for seamen. 3. Draft Convention (No. 55) concerning the liability of the shipowner in case of sickness, injury, or death of seamen.

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