H.—ll

(luring any period of annual holiday, the holiday is to be increased by one day in respect of that special holiday. If a worker's employment is terminated after he has become entitled to an annual holiday but before the employer has allowed him to take it, the employer is deemed to have allowed the two weeks' holiday from the date of termination of the employment, and he is required to pay the worker forthwith the holiday pay due. Where a worker is employed by an employer for less than one year but for three months or more, the employer on the termination of the employment is to pay the worker an amount equivalent to one twenty-fifth of his ordinary pay for the period of employment. If, however, the employment is for a period less than three months, the employer on the termination of the employment is to affix to the worker's holiday card ordinary postage or revenue stamps to the amount of one twenty-fifth of the worker's ordinary pay for the period of employment (if the employment is foi;less than three weeks the calculation is to be made on ordinary pay for the time worked). A holiday card may be surrendered at any money-order office after the expiration of one year from the commencement of the earliest period of employment in respect of which stamps are affixed to the card, the worker surrendering the card receiving the total value of the postage or revenue stamps fixed thereto less social security and national security taxes. The principle of payment for statutory holidays in the case of non-factory workers commented on in the 1942 report has been extended in its application, and a recent examination of awards of the Court of Arbitration reveals that, with the following exceptions, it is generally applied : gold-miners, fire-brigadesmen (who, however, have extended rest breaks presumably in part substitution), hospital workers (also a case in which extended annual leave is given), hotel and tea-room employees, also theatre employees (penal rates, however, payable), journalists (also a case in which extended annual leave is given) ; also workers in several trades where, while the principle has been applied to the industry, no application has been made in some districts to commence proceedings for new awards. In the case of coal-mine employees, the Coal-mines Council, a controlling body established under the Coal-mines Council Emergency Regulations 1940 (Serial number 1940/135), has recently approved of payment for statutory holidays. One of the powers conferred on the Council by the regulations quoted is the settlement of industrial disputes (see Regulation 3: 2 (10)), and it may do so whether or not attempt has been made to settle the matter by means of any local machinery available—the Coal-mines Council Emergency Regulations 1940, Amendment No. I (Serial number 1944/96). THE INDUSTRIAL REST PERIOD EMERGENCY REGULATIONS 1943 The Industrial Rest Period Emergency Regulations 1943 provided a rest period from 27th to 31st December, 1943, inclusive, for all workers who were covered by awards, agreements, or orders issued pursuant to the Emergency Regulations Act, 1939, and who were not entitled to annual holidays of not less than five days on pay under the terms of their employments. Where, owing to the exigencies of the employer's business, or in the case of urgent work, or by reason of the necessity for overhauling or maintaining plant or equipment, or for any other reason, it was not practicable for the employer to allow the rest period as before mentioned, an equivalent rest period was provided for to be allowed within six months. To qualify for the rest period it was necessary, except in the case of freezing-works' employees, for the worker to have been employed at any time during the week ending 25th December, 1943, and to have been employed in the industry or employment for not less than three months prior thereto. Employees of freezing-works were entitled to the rest period if they had been employed at any time during the week ending 25th December. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT The regulations under the Act provide 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 .. .. .. .. .. 29,829 6,152 Measures .. .. .. .. .. 2,738 50 Weighing-instruments.. .. .. .. 20,703 2,171 Measuring-instruments .. .. .. 2,165 345 There were also submitted for verification 1,348,684 bottles—milk, cream, or oil —11,141 being rejected. In addition to the reverification work referred to, the Department has carried out surprise tests of appliances on the owners' premises, the net-weight and standard-weight provisions of the regulations also receiving attention. , Each shop inspection included an examination to ascertain that requirements as to reverification have been satisfied, and, in addition, surprise tests of appliances on the owners' premises were made. Inspections were also made covering the regulation requirements as to net weight and standard weight of packages, and the sale of firewood, coke, and coal, also the provisions relating to the weight of broad, including those contained in the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1908. Complaints were received respecting 120 alleged breaches of the Act. As a result of the investigation of these and of the check inspections referred to above, 25 prosecutions wore instituted, fines amounting to £60 being imposed. Eleven machines presenting novel features were dealt with during the year, Of this number 4 were approved, 1 was rejected, and 6 are under review. Modification of the design of the pattern submitted was found necessary in some cases. Details areApproved — A self-indicating semi-dormant platform machine of 300 lb. capacity for use in dairy factories. Makers, Accurate Scale Co., Auckland, New Zealand. Approved after slight modification. A self-indicating milk-tank weigher, of 3,0001b. capacity for use in dairy factories. Makers, National Dairy Association of New Zealand, Hawera, New Zealand. Approved after substantial modification. A self-indicating and price-computing counter scale of 20 lb. capacity, styled " The Fort." Makers, W. and T. Avery, Ltd., England. A liquid flowmeter for large bulk deliveries of petrol, styled the " Kent." Makers, George Kent, Ltd., England. Approved to deliver one specified quantity only.

13