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The position with regard to envelopes has also eased somewhat, although local manufacturers are still hard pressed to meet demands. It is only by continuing to import large quantities of envelopes from the United Kingdom that the Department has been able to satisfy requirements. The total value of issues was £222,525, comprising 132,725 packages of paper (1,441 tons) and 1,210,550 envelopes. In addition, 14,566,200 envelopes were issued through the Stationery and Issuing Offices. Machinery. —ln continuance of the process of modernizing the Department's plant by the introduction of the most up-to-date and labour-saving machinery, the following new items of plant were installed during the year : Mann double demy two-colour offset press ; Mielile double royal letterpress machine; vertical Miehle letterpress machine ; two Furnival guillotines; Intertype composing-machine. Several smaller machines and machine-tools were also added to the Department's plant. Buildings. —Owing to shortages of labour and materials it was not possible to carry out the full programme of repair and renovation work scheduled for the year, but substantial improvements in working-conditions have been effected, and work is proceeding on the two major jobs comprising the installation of modern lighting and ventilating systems. In addition, a considerable amount of painting and renovation is still to be performed as material and labour become available. The installation of a staff cafeteria was completed in March, 1949, and the room is now in full operation and is providing an excellent service, which is greatly appreciated by the staff. Staff. —The improvement in staffing which was noted in the last report has unfortunately not been maintained. The total staff of the Department now numbers 482, as against 502 on Ist April, 1948, and 630.0n Ist April, 1939. The Department continues to obtain its quota of tradesmen and female labour under the assisted immigration scheme, but losses through retirements, marriages, or resignations more than offset the gains from this and local sources. The Department is at the present time greatly in need of additional skilled staff, and especially bookbinders, lithographic machinists, female operatives, and apprentices. Finance. —The operations for the year resulted in a turnover of £711,908, which exceeded that of the previous year by £121,885. The profit for the year amounted to £18,381, after providing for interest on capital and depreciation. I have, &c, K. E. Owen, , Government Printer. The Hon. the Minister in Charge.

Return of Adhesive Stamps, Postal Notes, etc., Printed from 1st Apri1, 1948, to 31st March, 1949

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Description. Sbeets. Stamps. Value. * Postage (5,749 903,800 £ 6,909 Postal notes 282,000 2,820,000 44,184* Post-cards 129,575 2,069,976 8,625 Letter-cards 156,250 1,861,450 15,512 ■ > Duty 17,755 2.751,367 2,748,623 •Social Security 53,000 12,437,360 1,963,713 Newspaper wrappers . 103,950 828,352 2.296 Embossed envelopes . 1,858,747 1,848,424 16,311 Railways charges 10,20.0 1,200,000 3,750 ; ■ • 2,618,226 26,720,729 £4,809,923 * Poundage value.