h.—n

A number of cases were examined in considerable detail and, while it is not possible to record here the conclusions, it is desirable that some of the factors discovered be set out:— (a) Some workers recorded by employers as absent without reason for considerable periods were actually sick —in one case the worker was in receipt of an invalidity benefit and unlikely to resume work even at a distant date. Because they were employed in an essential industry but had neglected to secure a formal release through the Man-power Organization, their names were retained on the employment record, though in ordinary circumstances removal would have occurred. . (b) In other cases unauthorized change of employment had occurred. The original employer was thus recording the worker as absent from work, whereas in reality he was working elsewhere and probably employed on work involving overtime. These cases are quoted to demonstrate that no " bird's-eye view " of this subject gives an accurate picture. It has been found overseas that avoidable absence from work is more likely to be satisfactorily solved by internal means than by external powers of discipline or punishment. The Chief Inspector of Factories, Great Britain, in his last annual report, states : It has been found by many firms that the best method of dealing with absenteeism is the prompt interviewing of the absentee by an officer of the personnel management department and, where necessary, his subsequent appearance before a committee of fellow-workers." The changes brought about by wartime production have disclosed the necessity for greater attention to staff management and welfare conditions, and the appointment of a competent personnel manager or welfare supervisor in the larger factories would assist in solving many of the problems that arise. Furthermore, fuller use could be made of any works committees that exist. Addresses in factories undertaken by Mr. Moncur, M.P., have aimed at reducing possible absenteeism by appealing to patriotic sentiment. Employers generally have expressed satisfaction with the result of these addresses. The Minimum Weekly Wage (Essential Undertakings) Order (No. 2) (Serial number 1942/320) contains a provision which operates as a penalty 011 workers who absent themselves from their employment where it provides that the right of the worker to receive in respect of any week the minimum weekly wage shall be subject, inter alia, to the following condition :— (c) That the worker during the immediately preceding six weeks was not absent from available work for any reason other than (i) sickness or accident or other cause outside his or her control; or (ii) leave of absence to which the worker was entitled under the terms of his or her employment, or leave of absence granted by or on behalf of the employer ; on more than one working-day, or (if the total number of hours worked by him or her during that period of six weeks exceeded his or her weekly hours for that period by not less than 20 per cent.) for more than three working-days. SHOPS AND OFFICES ACT Because of the mobilization of staff the number of inspections is less than in the previous years— viz., 12,470, compared with 17,250. In consequence, it is more difficult to estimate the number of shops and the number of assistants employed therein. Nevertheless, from the information available it is estimated that there were 26,197 shops, a reduction on last year —12,465 being carried on without assistants. In the shops where assistants are employed it is estimated that 20,144 males and 27,298 females were engaged, as compared with 24,451 males and 27,575 females last year. There has been a substitution of female labour for male labour in shops, and, in addition, a considerable number of female shop-assistants have been directed to other occupations pursuant to the Industrial Man-power Emergency Regulations. Complaints were received respecting 275 alleged breaches of the Act. Investigation of these resulted in 21 prosecutions and 152 warnings. There were in all 38 prosecutions (employers, 35 ; workers, 3), and fines amounting to £53 15s. were imposed. In addition, 64 requisitions were served on occupiers of shops to comply with various requirements of the Act, such as sanitary conveniences, ventilation, heating, and lighting. Retail Hours for Oil-fuel Establishments The regulations (Serial number 1942/181) provide for universal opening and closing hours for all retail oil-fuel establishments throughout the Dominion. Hours specified are 7.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays inclusive, and 7.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. On Sundays, premises are to be closed all day. Machinery is provided whereby fuel may be obtained in case of urgent necessity . An amendment during the year (Serial number 1942/317) provided that in those districts for which the statutory closing-day under the Shops and Offices Act, 1921-22, is a day other than Saturday, the closing-time 011 the day of the statutory closing-day shall be I o'clock in the afternoon and 011 Saturdays shall be 5.30 o clock in the afternoon. Provision was also made enabling the Minister of Labour, by notice in the Gazette, to authorize closing at 8 o'clock in the evening 011 one day in rural areas and the smaller urban areas. Annual Appointment op Statutory Closing-day Except where the closing-day has been fixed by a poll of electors, the closing-day is appointed each year by resolution of the local authority or, in the absence of a decision by a local authority, by the Minister of Labour. Three changes of day occurred in 1943, Saturday being substituted for Wednesday in the counties of Manakau and Stewart Island, while in respect of the road district of Ostend, Waiheke Island, an alteration was made from Thursday to Wednesday. Late-night Elimination The Closing of Shops (Late Night) Emergency Regulations 1942 (Serial number 1942/2) empower the Minister of National Service to authorize or direct any local authority (or all local authorities within a specified area or locality) to fix, in respect of the late night observed by shops within its district, an earlier closing-time than the closing-time fixed in accordance with the Shops and Offices Act, 1921-22, or any award. Pursuant to this measure authorities have been issued for areas as follows : Auckland Metropolitan District, Tolaga Bay, Whangarei Borough, Waihi Borough, Morrinsville Borough, Tauranga Borough, and Dargaville Borough.

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