ll.—ll

(d) Medical research services should be organized as soon as practicable for the scientific investigation of questions relating to the promotion and maintenance of the health of seamen afloat. (4) Equality of Treatment for Seafarers : Recording admiration of the war effort of Chinese, Indian, and all other seamen from Asia, Africa, and the East and West Indies serving in the fleets of the United Nations, and urging that, in collaboration with the respective organizations and Governments concerned, all practicable steps to be taken to ensure that in the conditions of employment and general treatment of these seamen there be no unfavourable comparison with crews of vessels in similar trades and under the same registry. (5) The Shipping Industry and the Peace Conference : Urging that the shipping industry as a whole, both shipowners and seafarers, be represented. (6) Internationa,l Maritime Charter: Inviting the International Labour Office to study whether it is practicable to prepare an International Maritime Charter setting out guiding principles for an international minimum standard applicable to seafarers of all nationalities, embodying the best practicable social legislation affecting seafarers. (7) Conditions of Service of Seafarers : Inviting the International Labour Office to prepare for submission to the next meeting of the Commission a statement on the present position, specifying the wartime changes concerning the conditions of service of seafarers of the principal maritime nations, with special reference to hours of work at sea and ashore, manning, holidays with pay, security of employment, accommodation, pensions, training, and recruitment. (8) Organization of Merchant Fleets : Inviting the International Labour Office to prepare for submission to a future meeting of the Commission a statement on the measures taken by the principal maritime nations to adapt the organization, control, and operation of their respective merchant fleets to wartime conditions. (9) International Agreements on the Utilization of Merchant Shipping : Inviting the International Labour Office to prepare for submission to a future meeting of the Commission a statement of any public information available on the international agreements or arrangements made between the principal maritime nations, with a view to securing the most effective use of merchant shipping in wartime. INDUSTRIAL EMERGENCY COUNCIL This was set up soon after the outbreak of the war to advise the Minister of Labour on matters relating to the war effort. There have been twelve meetings of the Council during the year. In addition, the Hours Committee met on twenty-five occasions. The following matters were dealt with :— (a) Review of the conditions of employment for women in munitions manufacturing by one Wellington firm—see N.Z. Gazelle No. 42, 23rd April, 1942, p. 1161 : (h) Condition of employment of female workers employed by one Christchurch firm in the manufacture of military clothing—see N.Z. Gazette No. 45, 30th April, 1942, p. 1345. (c) Conditions of employment for female workers in the baking industry —see Serial number 1942/134 : (d) Modification of the limitation of 7 lb. in the weight of cans of paint lifted by female workers in the paint- and varnish-manufacturing industry—see N.Z. Gazette No. 53, 4th June, 1942, p. 1483 : (e) Fixation of wages and conditions for female workers employed in making porcelain ware— see N.Z. Gazette No. 53, 4th June, 1942, p. 1483 : (f) Introduction of shift-work provisions in the bottle-store of one Christchurch firm—see N.Z. Gazette No. 64, 25th June, 1942 : (g) Introduction of shift-work for female workers employed by two Auckland firms in the manufacturing of toothbrushes —see N.Z. Gazette No. 69, 16th July, 1942, p. 1927 : (/«) Employment of female workers in the preserving department of two Canterbury meatfreezing works —see N.Z. Gazette No. 69, 16th July, 1942, p. 1931, also N.Z. Gazette No. 89, Ist October, 1942, p. 2449 : (i) Fixing wage-rates for engineers employed by a Foxton. employer for a forty-four-hour week —see N.Z. Gazette No. 80, 27th August, 1942, p. 2127 : (j) Fixing conditions for female workers employed in the manufacturing of gas-masks—see N.Z. Gazette No. 89, Ist October, 1942, p. 2449 : (k) Fixing of a minimum weekly wage for workers employed in essential undertakings —see Serial number 1942/287 : (I) Authorization of shift-work for female workers in the manufacturing of canisters (applied to one Auckland firm for a special purpose) —see N.Z. Gazette No. 101, 12th November, 1942, p. 2745 : (w.) Introduction of conditions of employment for female workers employed in retail butchers' shops—see N.Z. Gazette No. 4, 28th January, 1943, pp. 63 and 64 : (n) Suspension of Factories Act provisions to permit employment of female workers up to 11 p.m. in the Auckland milk-distribution depot—see N.Z. Gazette No. 7, 18th February, 1943, p. 131 : (o) Special conditions for female workers employed in the explosives section of an engineering works —see N.Z. Gazette No. 15, 11th March, 1943, p. 300: (p) Lifting of the restriction upon the employment of female workers in tea-rooms and restaurants after 10.30 p.m. in certain districts —see N.Z. Gazette No. 26, 15th April, 1943, p. 446 : (</) Presenting working-conditions for trainee motion-picture operators —see N.Z. Gazette No. 20, 26th March, 1943, p. 377. The Council procedure is to give an opportunity to workers' and employers' organizations to bring evidence before it. In making recommendations, the Council endeavours to maintain the good will and co-operation of all concerned in carrying out the terms of any variation.

16