H.—ll.

4. Draft Convention (No. 56) concerning sickness insurance for seamen. 5. Draft Convention (No. 57) concerning hours of work on board ship and manning. 6. Recommendation (No. 48) concerning the promotion of seamen's welfare in ports. 7. Recommendation (No. 49) concerning hours of work on board ship and manning. The only convention adopted at the twenty-second session held on the 22nd October, 1936, was Draft Convention (No. 58), fixing the minimum age for the admission of children to employment at sea. This also will be tabled this session. The twenty-third session opened on the 3rd June, 1937, the following being the items on the Agenda : — (i) Safety provisions for workers in building construction, with reference to scaffolding and hoisting machinery. (ii) Reduction of hours of work in the textile industry. (iii) The planning of public works in relation to employment. (iv) Reduction of hours of work in the printing and related trades. (v) Reduction of hours of work in the chemical industry. (vi) (a) Partial revision of the Minimum Age (Industry) Convention, 1919 (No. 5) ; and (b) partial revision of the Minimum Age (Non-industrial Employment) Convention, 1932 (No. 33), in both cases raising the minimum age from fourteen to fifteen years. RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE CONVENTIONS. Fifty-two conventions have been adopted by the various sessions of the International Labour Conference held from 1919 to 1936. These have been laid on the table of the House, but no action has been taken to ratify the conventions. ASSISTED IMMIGRATION. Commencing from May, 1927, there has been a gradual diminution of assisted migration to New Zealand, and of recent years the only cases approved have been pursuant to previous promise, express or implied. In the main, the cases approved have been those where a portion of a family has previously received assisted passages and the remaining members have subsequently desired to follow them to this country. During the year 1936-37 eleven migrants received assisted passages (previous year, nil). In my last report I referred to the renewed interest in this subject, both in New Zealand and other parts of the British Empire. During the year under review interest has intensified in this and other parts of the Empire. EXPENDITURE DURING THE YEAR. (Exclusive of Employment Division activities.) Salaries and allowances (including salaries of nominated members, Court of Arbitration), £ temporary assistance, and agents' remuneration . . .. . . ~ 46,500 Fees, travelling-expenses, &c., in connection with work of Conciliation Councils and the Court of Arbitration .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10,597 Printing, stationery, office requisites and equipment, rent, cleaning, heating and lighting of offices, advertising, postage, telegrams, telephones, &c. .. .. .. .. 10,430 Travelling-expenses, &c., of Inspectors, including cost of bicycles, motor-cycles, &c... .. 7,774 Fares, board and lodging, &c., advanced to persons proceeding to employment .. .. 87 Expenses of delegation to Conference of International Labour Organization, Geneva .. 2,150 Miscellaneous expenditure .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 189 77,727 Immigration expenditure— Disbursement of amounts collected on behalf of Imperial and other Govern- £ ments, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 303 Passage-money for migrants .. .. .. .. . . .. 236 Portion of salaries and other expenditure, High Commissioner's Office, London.. 679 1,218 Less recoveries— 78,945 Fares, &c. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 125 Sale of publications .. .. .. .. .. .. 415 Inspectors' travelling-costs .. .. . . .. .. .. 1,263 Service to other Departments, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 90 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 95 1,988 Immigration .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 318 2,306 £76,639 The above figures do not include items provided elsewhere than the Labour Department's vote—e.g., salary of Judge, Court of Arbitration.

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