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1892. NEW ZEALAND.

BUREAU OF INDUSTRIES (REPORT ON THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Secretary, Bureau of Industries, to the Hon. the Ministee of Laboue. Sib,— Bureau of Industries, Wellington, 7th July, 1892. - I have the honour herewith to submit report of the Bureau of Industries for previous year. The report is subdivided as follows : Bureau of Industries; Extension of Operations; State Farms; Factories; Labour in Europe ; Wages, &c, in New Zealand. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Labour. Edward Teegeae, Secretary.

Bueeau op Industries. The Bureau commenced its operations in June, 1891, under the direction of the Hon. W. P. Eeeves, Minister of Education and Justice. The objects desired by the Government were the compilation of statistics concerning the condition of labour generally ; the establishment of agencies for reporting the scarcity or overplus of workers in particular districts ; the transfer of such workers from overcrowded localities to places needing labour ; and, generally, the control of all industries for the physical and moral benefit of those engaged therein. The pressing difficulty at the time the Bureau was inaugurated was the presence of " unemployed '' labour in the chief towns of the colony. The centralising tendency of modern institutions is one of the predisposing causes of this plethora of workmen appearing in the cities, aided by the displacement of hands by labour-saving machinery on farms; but these influences were greatly augmented by the cessation (or contraction) of public works consequent on the exhaustion of foreign loans. It was necessary that some outward set should be given to the human tide, and that every facility should be given to labourers to proceed to available work in out-districts. For this purpose 200 agencies were established, for economical reasons the agents being selected from officers already in the Government service, and in the country districts the duties generally being allotted to sergeants of police and local constables, as these officers are thoroughly acquainted with the needs and capabilities of the population surrounding them. These agents forward on the last day of every month a schedule stating particulars as to unemployed persons in their district, and make report as to the various works, private and public (if any), in their locality needing more workmen. In this manner the minus or plus quantities of available labour can be generally equalised. On "unemployed" persons presenting themselves for engagement their names are entered upon schedules, which declare (for statistical purposes only) the age, dependent family, time out of work, &c, of each applicant; and suitable employment (if possible) is offered, men with families having preference. They are assisted by means of railway-passes, in some cases given free to those seeking work for themselves, but given to those proceeding to engagements only as advances, orders on the employers against future wages being signed by the men. Most of the said orders on future pay are honoured when matured. Every effort, short of espionage, is used to ascertain the bona fides of applicants and to prevent the railway-passes falling into the hands of rogues. Few, it is believed, of the " loafing " fraternity have defied the scrutiny of the department, the true loafer rather desiring to loiter about the streets of towns than to be sent to heavy work in bush districts where he must either toil unremittingly or starve. The result of the establishment of the Bureau was encouraging in the extreme. The congestion of labour in the large towns was reduced, and a true test applied to those who declared themselves as in want of work. The total number assisted to employment from the Ist June, 1891, to the 31st May, 1892, is 2,974, of whom 2,000 were sent to private employers and the others to public works. Only a few of these can be credited to the months of January, February, and March, which being summer months have called on all the resources'of extra labour for harvesting, grass-seeding, 1. H—l4.

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haymaking, &c. The bush-felling, which takes place during the winter months, absorbs our surplus applications for employment. The public works above spoken of have been carried on under a new system designed to supersede the contracting middleman, by whom very large profits were formerly made, inducing a constant tendency towards reduction of wages. The new system is that of constructing roads and railways by what are called co-operative contracts. In these, a small party of men, generally six in number, is allotted a certain section or length of road or line; one of them is elected a "ganger" and trustee for the others, to deal for them with the Government. The Government Engineer states a price for the portion of work, and, as this is done by an unprejudiced officer, it is generally accepted without murmur by the men. The results usually have been very satisfactory. Progress payments are made fortnightly, for the benefit of the men's families, and the whole amount is paid up in cash on the work being passed by the Engineer. It is the intention of the Government to provide small farms of ten or fifteen acres each, for these workmen, in village settlements, so that they may be induced to make their homes in country districts, and thus in some -degree to neutralise the centralising tendency of modern industrial life. It has been found that the information gathered and disseminated by the Bureau h,as been of great service to those who have not become destitute nor applied for free passages. Much time and money were formerly spent by those seeking employment wandering through districts already glutted with workmen, while in other unknown places labour was in demand. That has now been altered, and undoubtedly to the gain of both employer and employed. Other attempts are being made by the Bureau for the benefit of the deserving workmen needing employment. The system by which Cook's tourists enjoyed certain advantages of reduced prices, &c, when journeying for pleasure, has been partially applied to others travelling for necessity. This is done by the issue to the Bureau Agents of labour coupons, which are given in small quantities to unemployed in country districts, and which enable the bearer to get food, bed, &c, in certain hotels and lodging-houses at reduced rates. Employment being obtained, the coupons are no longer allowed to be used, but full prices are charged. Extension op the Bueeau Woek. It has been found by the experience gained during the first year of action that further powers are needed before this department can be worked in a manner likely to fulfil its best functions. Returns asked for by circular are either not made at all, are filled-in carelessly, or are accompanied by requests that they be treated as confidential. It is impossible that industrial information of a valuable character can be collected and arranged statistically unless two important arrangements can be made—First, that the officers of the department should be empowered to demand information, and obtain it, if necessary, by legal enforcement; second, that an agent or agents should visit every part of the colony, ascertaining personally the rates of wages, cost of living, cost of production, ages of workers, &c. The cost of wages, as supplied by employers, is found sometimes to differ very considerably from the rates supplied by those who receive the wages. Nor is such statistical information as is required a mere matter of idle curiosity, or to provide sheets of dead figures. No one can calculate the loss Great Britain has sustained from her dilatoriness in instituting some organized form of collecting her industrial information. Select Committees and Labour Commissions sit in the dark, unfurnished with any reliable information as to wages, cost of production, cost of necessaries of life, &c. ; and no statesman can properly calculate the effect of tariffs or taxation without duly authenticated statistics on which to rely ; fiscal policies in such cases are mere matters of assertion concerning blind forces. While Britain spends millions on petty wars, a few thousands a year are grudged to the officer and clerks who, attached to the Board, of Trade, attempt to provide such poor information as that which can be secured by circulars issued by an over-worked department. In bright contrast stands the Labour Department of the United States. There (with State Bureaus in Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, lowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, New Mexico, and California), a Department of Labour for the whole country has been instituted, the functions of which become more valuable and more important with the passing of each year. No one can look on the mass of information tabulated and presented by Colonel Carrol Wright, the Commissioner of Labour, without being convinced of the national importance of his annual report, its immense value as a work of reference to statesmen, and its general usefulness to those engaged in industrial pursuits. Canada, too, has its Bureau of Industries at Ontario, and gathers together much valuable information, although it deals more with agricultural than with industrial labour. Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium have recognised the vast economic value of such inquiries, and have established Departments of Labour. That extended powers must be granted to the New Zealand Bureau is certain, if it is to prove its efficiency by gathering industrial statistics. State Farms. The Government has intimated its intention to initiate the experiment of establishing a few State farms in New Zealand. The leading idea in this scheme is to provide places of refuge and instruction for those persons who, not being able to succeed in getting employment in their own trades in towns, may be encouraged to undertake work in the rural districts, and be prepared to engage in it. A State farm is to comprise about 1,000 acres of land fit for agricultural purposes, and to this farm will be drafted the surplus workmen of the towns. Many of the " unemployed " applying at the Labour Bureau are clerks, stewards, firemen, tailors, printers, &c, who, crowded out of their regular employments, are in a state of destitution; these being in addition to a large body of general labourers who, though used to the pick and shovel, have no knowledge of work upon farm or station. All these could be sent with advantage to an institution where, in return for food and shelter, and perhaps some small wage, they could assist in the general work of a farm, and make

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its cultivation pay expenses, while, in the meantime, the workmen themselves were being trained to habits and duties fitting them for the general labour-market. It is desired that buildings should be erected by the men themselves, with the help of some skilled assistance, that cottages should be built for married men with families, and that, to those who show themselves interested and capable, co-operative shares in the profits of the farm should be given. In most cases these farms would be "transit-stations," through which a steady current of labour, changed from "noneffective "to " effective," should pass. The farms would each be under the control of a practical " captain of industry," who would, be held responsible for the training and discipline of the men, and who would endeavour to make the undertaking as remunerative as possible to the State without losing sight of its primary object—namely, the relief of pressure upon the deserving poor. About seventy years ago (in 1818J, a scheme somewhat similar to this was attempted to be carried out in Holland. Labour colonies were started by a private society, but were taken over by the Government in 1859. There was at that time three colonies, and these are still in existence: one at Frederiksoord, another at Willemsoord, and a third at Wilhelminasoord ; of these we may take Frederiksoord as a typical example. It is now a fertile district about 16 miles in length, an oasis set in the midst of dreary moorland ; it has been entirely redeemed from the waste by the efforts of the settlers. It comprises about 5,000 acres, including six large model farms employing 90 labourers, and 224 small farms each capable of supporting a family. There are five schools (accommodating 500 children), a college for gardening, two Protestant churches with houses for ministers, a Roman Catholic church with priest's house, a Jewish Synagogue and teacher's house. The population averages about 1,800. On a destitute family first arriving in the labour colony, the head of the family is given work as a labourer at current wages for three years, and ho may then receive one of the small farms and become a free farmer, always premising that he has done his work as a labourer faithfully and well. If he does not succeed as a farmer he may return to his condition as a labourer, in which capacity he receives a free house and garden. Provision is made for sending away the drunken and idle. The farming families pay a small rent to the colony, and subscribe to a medical and clothing fund; the infirm old people are pensioned off. The colonies have been Very'successful, and there is no difficulty in filling up any vacancies. The sketch above given of the .Dutch labour colonies proves the possibility of destitute persons succeeding in living in co-operative societies under fostering Government care; still these colonies more resemble special settlements than the State farms about to be established in New Zealand, although the State-farms could easily cease from being transit centres if required and could become co-operative farming communities. The so-called "Beggar colonies" at Veenhuizen and Ommerschans, in Holland, are really "penal settlements " in the country; to these are sent for terms of two years the mendicants and others forming the scum of great cities, for purposes of reclamation, and that useful occupations may be learnt. New Zealand has at present no distinct criminal or pauper class, and therefore no such institutions need consideration, unless we allow that employment on farms is the proper alternative for the ordinary prison discipline. There is little doubt, however, that if farm-colonies could be established for elderly and aged persons, a great boon would be extended to many deserving old people who now find their declining days passing away in the dull monotony of refuges, or "boarding-out" by charitable aid. The cultivation of gardens would give them pleasure, healthy exercise, and sometimes a little pocketmoney, while their self-respect would be preserved and heightened by a sense of usefulness in the world. For statistics of " Unemployed," &c, see page 6. Factokies. The Factories Act came into force en the Ist January, 1892. Its objects were the regulation of the methods by which work should be performed in factories and workshops, inspection of their sanitary provisions, and protection of the employes against accident. It also dealt with the hours of labour of women and children, payment to them of overtime, and notified the ages above which young persons might be legally employed. For these purposes sixty-two districts with their boundaries were gazetted, and a local Inspector appointed at each of the undermentioned places, viz.: — Factory Districts and Inspectors. Wellington, James Mackay. Balclutha, Andrew Christie. Christchurch, James Shanaghan. Gore, John Fleming. Auckland, Herbert Ferguson. Otaki, Timothy O'Eourke. Dunedin, T. K. Weldon. Bulls, John Coyde. Oamaru, Thomas O'Grady. Pahiatua, Charles Cooper. Onehunga, Bernard Green. Martinborough, Charles Bowden. Invercargill, Ewen Macdonnell. Waipawa, Florence O'Donovan. Greymouth, Adam Bassett. Waipukurau, Denis Brosnahan. Timaru, Henry Hallett. Taradale, Thomas Leitch. New Plymouth, John Duffm. Danevirke, Edin Joseph Lawliss. Hawera, Patrick Quinn. Featherston, Frederick Charles Smith. Patea, Patrick Leahy Harnett. Greytown, J. Eccleton. Wanganui, William Lyons. Carterton, Eobert Darby. Feilding, James Joseph Twohy. Upper Hutt, William Hector McKinnon. Palmerston North, J. Slattery. Foxton, John Gillespie. Thames, Richard Stapleton. Eketahuna, Maurice Eoche. Tauranga, Nicholas Kiely. Ashurst, Thomas Dyer Brown. Napier, John Cullen. Hokianga, Charles Hogg.

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Factory Disiricts and Inspectors —continued. Blenheim, M. Scanlon. Hamilton, William Murray. Gisborne, S. Moore. Mercer, Joshua Hutchison. Masterton, Henry McArdle. Temuka, Thomas Bourke. Woodville, J. Treanor. Geraldine, William Willoughby. Nelson, John Pratt. Cambridge, William Brennan. Hokitika, C. Fraser. Malvern, Walter Henry Haddrell. Waimate, W. Gilbert. Lincoln, John Walton. Lawrence, C. Conn. Bakaia, William Lewis. Ashburton, C. W. Moller. Leeston, Patrick McCormack. . Ormondville, James Liddells. Oxford, William Henry Scott. Westport, W. Emerson. Kaikoura, William Wilson Smart. Picton, John Jeffries. Eangiora, Patrick Costin. Marton, Alfred Morton Moon. Akaroa, Patrick Scully. Inglewood, William Henry Eyan. Paid Inspectors are stationed at Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Auckland. It is gratifying to report that the Act has been met generally in a loyal and generous spirit. The majority of employers have received the suggestions of Inspectors in a manner proving that they had the interest of their employes at heart, and were desirous of doing their best to make their premises as convenient and healthful for the workpeople as they could. There were few traces of anything which could be called "sweating," in the sense in which the word is used in Great Britain. The most prolific source of discomfort arose from overcrowding, not only in the workshops but in the space for out-buildings : the narrow allotments of land in towns (often built up to the actual boundaries) being circumscribed in ground-space, and not fitted to give those free areas of space and room which decency and sanitary arrangements require. A person employing at first two or three hands is tempted, as his business grows, to crowd ten or eleven people into the workshop which accommodated a smaller number perfectly well, and is liable to neglect taking necessary precautions as to decency in providing proper accommodation for each sex, by erecting separate closets, &c. The large mills and factories are usually models of everything that should be in this respect; ample funds allow of costly appurtenances to these establishments, and the number of employes secures a publicity which renders any breach of regulations almost an impossibility. The effect of this generous treatment is shown, not only in the healthy appearance of the workpeople, but in the manner they regard the business of the firm as their own : the concessions for their benefit bearing fruit commercially in the zest and increased energy which they apply to their daily tasks. Alterations and improvements have been made in 913 factories and workshops at the request of Inspectors. There have been but four cases in which, after formal warning, legal proceedings have had to be taken. Penalties were inflicted in three cases, the fourth was dismissed on account of the Magistrate considering the wording of the clause too vague to apply in this instance. Having spoken of the general acceptance of the Act, it behoves me to mention a few examples proving the necessity which existed for such an Act being brought into force. In one establishment employing over fifty women and thirty men, only one closet was provided, this being supposed to be for the use of the women. As, however, this closet could not be used without passing through the men's workshop, its value was quite nullified. For the use of the men neither closet nor urinal was supplied. I called the attention of the proprietor to these abominable facts, and to the injury certain to result to the health of his workpeople. I further added that even on the lowest, the commercial grounds, he must lose much valuable time through the hands necessarily absenting themselves. I was answered that it was "of no consequence,'as the hands were on piece-work" ! It is well known that in a Southern town the death of a girl was caused directly by want of proper sanitary accommodation ; and doubtless others are injured more or less for life by inhuman neglect of this nature, which it would be prudery of the basest sort not to speak of, if preventible for the future. A leading clothier in one of our smaller towns employed seven girls, and had provided no closet. He informed me that no such convenience was necessary, as " one of the girls had a sister living a little way down the street, and they went there." It is needless to say that he was ordered to attend to the matter at once, and did so without loss of time. In several cases it was found that the evil arose more from thoughtlessness or carelessness in employers than from meanness in not wishing to spend a small sum of money. Thus the women's quarters or conveniences were seldom or never visited by proprietors, who, absorbed in business, dealt only with forewomen, or who, from ultradelicacy, shrunk from inspecting every portion of their own premises. In many ways employes need protection against themselves, against their own slovenliness and neglect of healthful precautions; sometimes against a species of " larrikinism " subversive of decency. In regard to air-space, one employer had packed seven girls into a room scarcely larger than a piano-case, and in which there were not sufficient cubic feet of air for one person to breathe healthfully. It was only by the threat of extreme penalties that any improvement was effected, the owner meeting the Inspector's demand by declaring that if molested he would discharge the girls. Better counsels prevailed : the premises in question have been altered to more suitable dimensions, so as to allow of a less vitiated atmosphere being breathed by the people through whom the proprietor's income was derived. There is too little elbow-room in many of the workshops, but generally sufficient supply of fresh air; in many cases too much air entering through broken windows and unlined walls. Although at considerable expense in some establishments, great improvements are visible in the soundness and cleanliness of workshops to-day compared with those used when the Act came into force a few months ago. Few instances were found in which children under age were employed. In all cases of persons suspected by the Inspector of being under the limit (sixteen years) allowed to " young persons " the

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birth-certificates were demanded, and if not forthcoming were procured by this department, many hundreds of these certificates being thus provided free of cost to the children or their parents. The Act does not, in my opinion, provide sufficient protection for working-children, as many of these are employed in small establishments having less than three work-people, and thus not coining under ihe definition of "factory." That any boy should be allowed to work from daylight till dark, without holidays, without proper intervals for rest and food, and in an impure atmosphere is improper, but at present not illegal. I regret to say that many such instances have been called to my attention. A few cases of accident have presented themselves during the past months, and in all such cases Inspectors have assured themselves by personal investigation that every precaution had been taken to guard the workers from the machinery. The accidents generally arise from momentary carelessness bred by long familiarity with danger, and under such circumstances accidents seem almost unavoidable. In one case where typhoid fever resulted fatally, and where rumour said that deceased brought infection from a factory, the report of the medical officer cleared the employer of any such imputation of keeping his premises in an unhealthy condition, and pointed out the probable source of the disease in the private dwelling of the sufferer. The general appearance of the workers in New Zealand factories is of a very creditable character. The men seem industrious and contented, the women and children healthy, well clothed, and w r ell nourished. The morality is, as a whole, far above that of the same class of workers in more settled countries, the reason for wdiich is apparent, in that the employes are notdrawn from the ranks of a pauper population but that almost all have respectable homes, and that the majority of the girls live with their parents. The advantages of colonial life present themselves in a very efficient form to any one viewing the crowd pouring from the gates of some New Zealand factory, and comparing the appearance of the workers with that of those in more densely populated and older countries. I append tables showing particulars in regard to factories, wages, ages of workers, &c. These tables are compiled from data gathered up to the 31st March (the end of the financial year), the Act then having been three months in operation. Since that time several new districts have been gazetted and Inspectors appointed. The tables do not show how many persons are employed in these industries throughout the colony, but only those persons working in " factories " as defined by the Act— i.e., in establishments employing three or more persons, or using mechanical motive power.

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Table showing Statistics concerning Persons for whom Employment was found by the Bureau of Industries, from 1st June, 1891, to 31st March, 1892.

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Applii lants. s o o o "A '^ 3 §5 3 p, t> oa p, ll 3 3 A t O gi Si I A 'A "3 O QJ a& o p< Si Can si Fail tc get W So" cs of ure -1 r ork, Ar.pl: .cants. en 3 © Ph O o g =1 |1 1 :! O r—i if I a S O to o^ o o o s w 8 3 $1 P=\ C "A Causes of Failure to get Work. If I "bo O I a> 6 % ■ IH CO Building Trades— Bricklayers,, Carpenters Painters .. .. ! Paperhanger Plasterers Plumbers Stonecutters Stonemasons 13 Printing and publishing— Bookseller . . .. 1 Bookbinder .. 1 Compositors .. 2 Lithographer .. 1 Printers .. .. 4 3 3 9 81' 14 1 1 3 1 4 6 31 5 1 4 2 47 8 1 2 2 1 7 32 149 10 4 10 o CO r-1 "3 CO CO 00 "3 o 12 194 31 i 4 0 30 8 65 13 1 8 5 1 8 1 1 2 1 4 1 4 2 2 21 1 i Leather-workers — Bootmakers .. 9 Fellmongers .. 1 Saddlers .. .. 1 Tanners .. .. 1 9 1 1 1 12 2 1 1 23 4 2 2 55 9 7 4 18 3 2 2 3 Professional men— Civil engineer Clerks Dairy experts Dentist Journalists Master mariners School teachers Surveyors 4 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 2 3 5 3 38 12 2 7 6 K 4 1 11 2 1 2 2 3 2 Seafaring-men— Firemen .. .. 6 Seamen .. .. 5 Wharf labourers .. 5 6 5 5 10 27 32 28 21 40j 62 62 ! 15 32 37 1 3 14 2 Wood-workers— Case-maker ' .'. 1 Coopers .. .. 1 Sawmillers .. .. 1 Sawyers .. .. 2 Shipwright Wheelwrights .. 3 Woodturners Clothiers— Drapers Tailors 2 1 1 1 2 1 8 2 1 1 2 10 2 1 9 2 3 9 9 2 10 4 1 2 4 4 1 3 2 2 2 3 4 3 4 9 10 3 6 Farm- and stable3 "9 i work— Farm-labourers Grooms Ploughmen 13 2 0 30 4 4 48 3 10 129 14 24 41 0 10 2 Miscellaneous— Artificial-flower maker Brickmakers .. 4 Bushmen .. 51 Candle-maker Contractors .. 3 Cooks .. .. 14 Engine-drivers .. 2 Fish-cure r Flax-millers .. 2 French-polisher Gardeners . . .. 7 Hatter .. .. Labourers .. .. 722 Machinists .. .. 4 Maltsters .. .. 3 Miners .. 36 Pattern weaver .. 1 Platelayers .. 1 Quarrymen.. .. 4 Storekeeper .. 1 Storemea--.,, .... Tinsmith .. .. 1 Upholsterer Warehousemen Wine-merchant Station-hands — Shearers Shepherds .. Rouseabouts Woolaorters Mechanics — Blacksmiths Boilermakers Coachsmiths Engineers Engine-fitters Ironworkers Millwrights .. J Moulders .. .. j Eivetters .. 11 2 1 7 7 1 2 1 1 8 1 14 4 1 7 4 2 2 4 4 1 2 29 2 67 S 2 36 32 6 88 8 5 69 14 10 49 20 9 5 9 4 3 12 3 2 25 6 2 13 11 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 34 1 4 20 4 1 4 1 4 1 1073 ** 1 24 13 157 36 8 ".6 '22 3520 10 10 178 8 19 323 6 2 115 13 4 9 1 23 2 4234 13 8 157 7 3 14 1 4 1 6 6 3 1 6 128 1 7 32 6 1 5 1 8 1 1681 6 4 59 1 5 2 4 2 1 3 60 5 2 1 1 2 1 "3 24 2 1 1 Food-suppliers— Bakers .. Butchers Confectioner Grocers Millers 21 62 4 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 8 15 1 1 4 12 13 49 87 2 14 20 19 27 1 4 6 . 1 1 "l 3 2 "l 2 1 19 tMABY. N"umber of applicants assisted — Married .. .. .. .. .. 1,054 ; Single .. .. . . .. • • 1:539 dumber dependent on applicants .. .. 4,729 dumber sent to private employment .. .. 1,730 Slumber sent to Government works .. .. 863 , dumber of months unemployed .. .. .. 0,270 3aueea of failure to get work— Slackness .. .. .. .. •• 2,433 Sickness .. .. .. .. ■■ 103 Number of men unemployed less than one month Families sent to workmen— Wives .. .. .. .. .. 40 Children .. .. .. .. .. 123 Employment provided for persons — From North Island, New Zealand .. .. 767 South Island, „ .. .. 1,791 „ Victoria .. .. .. .. 2 „ New South Wales .. .. .. 20 „ Brisbane .. .. .. .. 1 „ Tasmania .. .. .. .. 3 „ South Australia Great Britain .. .. .. .. 7 The number of children and others, dependent < iivided as follows : Wives, 1,054 ; parents supported jhildren working for themselves). on 2,593 persons assisted by the Bureau, was 4,729, I by single men, 92 ; children, 3,583 (not counting

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SUMMARY. Returns showing the Number Employed in Factories, the Average Wages Earned, and the Number of unpaid Apprentices Engaged. Note. —The rate of wages is that supplied by employers in making their applications to register. It is evidently only approximate. The tables to be furnished next year will be compiled from returns furnished by the Inspectors of Factories, and will be reliable. The apprentices mentioned are those not receiving wages.

Number employed. Average Wages per Week. Apprentices. Number employed. ] I Average Wages per Week. Apprentices. A| ;es. Ages. Male. Female. Timework.'Piecework. Male. Female. Male. Female. [Timework. Piecework. Male. Female. Tailor ring, Dressmaking, and Millinery. £ s. d. & s. d. 3:040 276 0 5 7 0 10 9 3 398 0 6 9 0 12 1 1 353 0 8 8 ' 0 12 10 1 376 0 11 10 0 15 7 .. 342 0 13 5 0 15 9 203 0 18 4 0 18 4 1,132 1 9 5 i 1 13 6 g, Tinsmiths', and Gasfitting Woris .. j 0 5 0 .. 0 6 0 .. 0 8 5 0 12 0 i 1 2 6 0 12 6 > .. 0 16 0 1 17 6 '< 119 2 I 2 5 9 2 0 0 Boot and Shoe Factories. 7 1 0 5 9 82 0 6 8 0 G 0 90 0 9 0 0 11 5 70 ! 0 11 9 0 17 6 69 j 0 13 7 10 8 52 : 0 17 0 1 1 6 41 ! 0 18 0 13 0 200 • 1 10 8 ! 1 18 0 Iriok, 1 'ile, and Drain-pir £ s. d. .. I 0 16 0 1 .. 0 18 0 .. 0 19 4 14 6 1 9 0 I 2 10 0 2 2 2 J Brush and Broom 1 0 7 5 i 10 8 7 1 0 11 0 4 0 13 8 3 j 0 15 2 .. 0 18 6 2 ! 1 8 0 ie Makers £ s. a. 0 15 0 14 1 15 73 16 76 17 61 18 52 19 I 59 20 28 Over 20 501 Plumbin: 14 i 2 15 ! 47 16 ; 41 17 45 18 '■ 31 19 30 20 14 Over 20 253 7 105 72 33 10 8 4 2 35 . 16 17 18 19 20 Over 20 # C 10 12 2 1 2 67 :s. 15 16 17 18 19 20 Over 20 36 5 2 2 2 5 16 r I 2 6 0 j i Factories I 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 I 0 14 0 i 0 16 0 17 0' 2 9 3 ;o Factorie 14" "81 15 165 16 133 17 112 18 79 19 62 20 I 33 I Over 201,028 ' 15 16 17 18 19 20 Over 20l 15 I 10 ! 17 IS 19 20 Over 20i L 32 47 46 51 25 38 278 Gu i 7 3 1 1 I 113 loach and Carriagi 0 5 9 0 7 10 0 11 11 .. i 0 13 4 0 19 0 0 19 7 .. I 2 8 10 irfl Sorting and Pi .. I 0 11 6 ' .. 0 11 6 I .. I 0 14 0 12 0 1 16 6 15 6 ... 2 13 Soapene Fact I .. I 2 5 0 j 0 8 0 0 9 6 0 11 8 0 15 10 0 16 7 12 0 2 7 9 acking Sto >res. i i 14] 1 I 16 4 19 1 20 3 Over 20 160 Gas-works. .. I 0 7 0 0 11 4 17 0 1 14 4 2 9 9 I Over 20] I 2 iories. Oilskin 15 7 16 17 1 18 .. 19 3 20 Over 20 10 j Saw-milling 14 1 15 84 16 73 17 54 18 41 19 38 20 14 Over 20 783 Hat and Ca 14 i 1 I 15 7 16 5 17 4 18 1 19 1 20 1 Over 20 22 Watcl 15 14 ; 16 6 17 8 I 18 : 4 19 8 20 ; 4 Over 20; 42 a'nd Waterproof-clothing Factories 12 0 4 8 10 5 4 7 0 5 7 0 7 11 10 J 0 7 5 0 10 9 4 0 10 2 0 11 10 7 0 18 6 0 17 4 9 18 6 11 5 14 1 18 0 0 17 0 J », Sash-and-Door Factories, and Ti Companies, &c. .. I 0 5 0 4 i 0 8 0 : 0 11 10 0 13 0 1 .. ! 0 17 9 .. 1 3 0 ..164 '.. 1 1 14 0 2 0 3 I 1 19 9 up Factories, Hosiery, and Shirt-m 5 10 7 6 I 47 I 0 8 6 42 i 0 10 8 0 9 2 ! 83 0 11 8 I 0 13 0 43 0 18 2 0 13 -1-1 47 0 19 9 i 0 18 1 81 1 7 4 i 0 17 8 210 I 1 8 1 I 0 19 8 trmaking and Jewellery Factories. 2 0 5 0| 0 9 2 0 10 7 .. j 0 17 0 .. j 1 0 7 .. 2 0 5 .. I 2 3 0 ' 2 10 0 i ing, Malting, and Bottling Works. ..070 1 0 10 9 0 16 0 0 17 0 .. 113 15 6 1 11 0 2 0 4 i 1 12 0 i jCtoriei s. imber takers. 1 15 16 17 18 19 20 Over 20 15 ] 16 17 18 19 20 Over 20 14 15 16 17 18 19| 20 Over 20 1 12 o 3 5 5 5 15 c 5 2 3 i i ii Sadi 3 27 37 38 24 12 19 99 o Cooperage Fa( .. I 0 7 0 .. 0 10 0 .. 0 16 4 0 18 5 .. 1 4 6 .. I 1 9 0 .-. II 12 5 jail and Tent, &c. 0 7 6 2 0 11 8 .. 0 19 8 .. -1 1 0 .. 1 10 0 : 2 1 12 0 1 i 1 19 9 die and Harness I .. 0 6 0 2 0 6 9 10 9 0 4 0 11 1 1 0 12 2 2 0 17 6 1 10 0 1 2 2 10 I •team Coffee and ! I .. 0 5 0 0 6 0 2 0 8 0 0 9 0 0 12 0 0 15 3 110 2 4 2 itories. 15 0 15 0 , Factor: ., Factoric itanufacti 0 12 0 0 18 0 1 10 0 2 3 0 3pice Mil I ties. i ■ , rers. 1 i 1 ! 1 1 13 I 14 15 16 17 18 19 Over 20 s 1 2 5 6 6 2 2 19 Is. Brewi 14 1 15 i 9 16 I 5 171 7 18 : 15 19 2 J 20 I 2 Over 20! 294 I 14 15 16 17 18 19 20; Over 20' 1 8 3 2 3 2 16 Photographic i 1 I 0 7 6 10 8 6 3:0 9 2 1 j 0 12 6 7 0 18 10 4 0 19 2 .. 1 10 0 j 21 i 1 17 1 I Itudios.

H.—l4.

SUMMARY— continued.

8

] Number employed. Average Wages per Week. I Apprentices. Number Average Wages Apprentices. employed. per Week. i ' Apprentices. -Male. Female. Timework. Piecework. Male. Female. Male. J Female.'Timework. Piecework.' Male. Female, 1 4 ; 25 7 3 7 5 4 18 I Tea-packing Companies. £ s. d. £ s. d. ■ 0 6 0 0 9 3 0 10 6 0 11 4 0 13 8 0 17 0 0 17 0 0 18 6 3 0 17 6 1 0 18 0 2 7 7 Cabinet-making and UpholsterCal Upholsten £ s. a. :ers. irs. 13 1 t 14 4 I 15 25 16 7 17 3 18 7 19 5 20 4 Over 20 18 | 1 4 25 7 3 7 5 4 18 14, 15 16 17 18 19 20 Over 201 £ s. d. £ s. d. 5 10 5 8 33 .. 0 6 9 39 3 0 8 3 30 2 0 11 9 33 i 0 145 24 I 1 0 16 11 17 .. 117 15 0 I 209 12 2 1 3 2 4 2 5 33 39 30 33 24 17 209 2 2 1 2 2 1 15 0 2 4 2 15 10 17 18 19 20 Over. 20 Chemical and Acid Works. !d Works. 17 .. Over 20 .. Paper-bag Factories. 1 0 14 0 1 0 14 0 1 2 0 7 2 2 0 7 3 1 .. 0 15 0 3 ..170 1 .. 1 15 0 2 .. 2 10 0 26 .. 2 10 10 3 0 0 15 3 16 11 17 13 18 15 19 3 20 1 Over 20 102 3 11 13 15 3 1 102 Bakeries, &c. ..062 2 0 13 1 1 0 14 6 1 0 16 0 110 1 10 0 4 ! 1 16 11 2 0 0 I 2 1 Aerated-water and Cordial Facti 5 i .. 0 9 2 8 .. 0 11 10 6 I .. 0 14 7 3 I .. 118 4 ..163 1 .. 1 15 0 74 J .. 2 0 6 3 0 0 :dial Fact' ;c ories. 2 iries. Iron and Br 14 ' 11 ' 15 62 16 70 17 77 18 79 19 82 20 33 Over 20 777 and Br 11 ' 62 70 77 79 82 33 777 rass Foundries and Engineering W .. 10 6 1 0 6 10 0 8 8 0 10 4 0 13 10 0 17 2 16 8: .. I 1 15 2 13 0 0 2 0 0 . Enginci 15 10 17 18 19 20 Over 20| 2 iring 'orks. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Over 20 Printing, Publishing, Bookbindini 2 ..1050 13 10 6 11 172 25 j 0 7 6 0 11 7 116 24 I 0 9 6 0 11 10 138 28 I 0 12 0 0 12 G 129 19 0 16 6 0 15 4 119 16 0 18 0 114 74 13 1 2 2 1 1 8 1,105 76 2 9 1 2 15 2 H ig, &c. 1 1 ;, &c. 1 1 Bisi 13 , II 14 ! 22 15 17 16; 32 17 13 18 ! 10 19 ! 15 20 , 10 Over 20 ! 88 Bisi 1 22 17 32 13 10 15 10 88 jcuit and Confectionery Works. .. j 0 5 0 6 0 6 4 3 0 6 7 i 5 ! 0 7 11 1 0 12 6 8 i 0 14 11 i 0 7 6 3 0 16 0 ' 0 11 6 .. 15 5 6 ! 2 2 10 ! 2 0 9 14; 15 16 17 18 19 20 Over 20 Flax and Hemp Milling. I 1 I 0 12 0 I 43 .. 0 14 3 1 0 12 6 43 .. 0 14 ]0 37 .. 0 15 4 : 0 15 0 30 3 i 0 19 5 ' 0 16 0 27 1 I 1 0 1 0 19 0 12 ..100116 289 1 j 1 0 9 i 2 1 8 15 15 16 6 17 12 18 28 19 ' 15 20; 11 Over 20 164 Flour Mills. 15 6 12 28 15 11 164 4 0 10 0 0 11 6 0 17 6 13 0 1 1 10 9 1 1 13 0 1 a 3 61 15 16 17 18 19 Over 20 Cheese and Butter Factories II .. 0 6 0. i 1 ; .. 0 10 0 2 I . . 0 12 6 1 .. 0 13 6 1 I .. 0 15 0 15 2144100 s. I I I I Porta 15 2 16 1 18 1 Porta 1 1 mantean and Bag Manufacturers. ..050 1 0 10 0 .. 1 10 0 15 16 .. 17 2 18 .. 19 .. 20 .. Over 20i 5 "2 I "5 Ammunition Works. 6 0 8 9,090 4 0 9 6 10 9 6 2 .. ! 0 10 9 4 0 10 6 ! 0 11 6 1 .. ! 0 18 10 2 .. MOO 3 I 2 0 6 1 15 16 17 18 19 20 Over 20! Agricultural Implement Make 24 .. I 0 9 5 I 17 .. i 0 10 0 22 .. 0 13 2 28 .. i 0 13 11 27 .. j 0 18 8 16 .. i 1 1 0 292 [ ... 2 14 5 81 i I >rs. 1 1 1 "2 "5 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Over 20: Tanning, Currying, and Fellmong 1 I .. 0 8 0 5 1090090 41 I 1 0 11 4 0 10 0 ! 33 i .. 0 14 10 0 14 0 24 ! .. 0 16 8 0 16 0 I 24 .. 12 2 13 .. 12 3 12 0 15 ! .. 1 7 10 ! 469 I 3 2 2 0 2 13 3 Fellmong g gering. jering. 15 4 16 6 17 4 18 1 19 2 20 1 Over 20 8 4 6 4 1 2 1 1 8 Perambulator Factories. 0 6 3 1 0 10 0 0 10 6 .. I 0 12 0 .. 0 18 0 .. 0 19 0 1 . 1 15 8 I 0 9 0 0 10 0 0 14 0 0 16 0 12 0 2 13 3 14 1 15 : 10 17 18 19 20 Over 20i Woollen ana Flock Mills. I 20 11 0 7 8 0 14 0 36 62 0 9 7 0 14 8 53 78 0 10 3 0 14 11 31 71 0 13 6 0 15 7 33 94 0 15 0 0 19 9 37 92 I 0 18 0 0 19 11 22 81 ] 1 0 0 15 3 ■I 404 382 ' 1 9 2 1 16 8 ick Mills. General aeneral 1 Blacksmithing and Shoeing-forges id Shoeing-forge: 0 14 0 0 14 8 0 14 11 0 15 7 0 19 9 0 19 11 15 3 1 16 8 15 1 7 16 3 17 3 18 13 19 11 20 2 Over 20 52 I 7 3 3 13 11 ) 52 0 7 1 0 9 8 0 10 10 0 16 6 1 13 3 17 6 2 6 0 2 0 0 1 2 0 0

H.—l4.

SUMMARY— continued.

9

Number employed. Average Wages per Week. Apprentices. Number r employed. Ages. ! A Te?ef S Apprentice,. newoikJpiecework Male, female Male. Female. Timework. Piecework. Male. Female. Male. Female. TimewoikJpiecework I I __ Mα! ile. [•'( 'tin Bone-Crushing Mill. & s. d. £ s. a. )ver20| 2 | .. | 3 8 0 | Preparing Medicines. 19 I .. I 3 [ 0 15 0 I Musical Strings, Sausage Skins, and Gut Factories 15: 6 .. I 0 18 2 j 17 5 .. 1 10 0 18 2 .. 1 12 6 19 5 .. 1 16 0 20 2 .. 1 18 0 iver20l 33 .. | 2 0 0 2 •• 9. Jam-preserving, Pickle, ana Sauce I £ b. a. £ s. a. 13 I 10 2 ; 0 5 7 14 i 10 2 0 6 7 15 21 : 13 0 7 2 16 26 10 0 8 0 17 10 27 I 0 9 9 18 13 6 . 0 13 2 19 2 7 0 15 5 20 1 j 6 0 16 0 Over 20 71 11 1 19 2 13 I 14 j 15 16 17 18 19 20 Over 20 ikle, ana Sauce Factories^ s, a. £ s. a. fi 7 6 7 7 2 8 0 9 9 13 2 15 5 16 0 19 2 Facto ;ories. :al Ski ut Fac ioriea. 6 5 2 5 2 33 XV 2 I Shutter Manufacturers. 6 0 9 4 II 0 Soap, Soda, Starch, and Tallow Works. 13 1 .. i 0 7 0 14 4 ..080 15 33 3 I 0 8 10 0 8 6 16 9 1 ; 0 10 6 0 9 0 17 13 .. : 0 16 5 0 10 0 18 8 .. 0 17 8 19 8 .. 0 18 9 20 1 ..150 iver20 185 2 2 2 6 0 11 3 Soap, 1 4 33 9 13 8 8 1 185 . Tallow ' orks. Venetian Blind and Shutter Manufp 15 3 1 .. I 0 6 0 16 3 ..094 17 4 0 11 0 18 I 2 .. 0 13 0 Over20l 7 .. 2 4 3 >er Manufi ! actuj ,cture; irers. 0 8 6 0 9 0 0 10 0 0 11 3 Chaff-cutting, Corn-crushing, Seed-cleani) pressing Works. 15 1 I .. i 0 10 0 16 1 .. i 0 10 0 18 1 ..150 19 3 .. 19 0 Over 20 35 j .. 2 6 1 J-α. \j 13 0 4 3 ;hing, Seed-cleaning, and Hoping Works. 10 0 10 0 5 0 9 0 6 1 Twine Works. 7 0 ieed-cleani irks. ing, i ing, am ana ] . Butchers and Meat-freessing Companies. Butch sing Com , i anies. 13 1 .. 0 8 0 1 14 3 .. 0 10 0 15 J 21 .. 0 18 3 16 1 16 110 0 17 13 .. 1 12 6 18 '■ 28 .. 114 0 1 1 10 0 19 I 8 I 116 0 110 0 20 27 .. 1 18 0 \ 3 0 0 >ver20| 623 1 2 14 0 ■ 2 11 0 , 1 3 21 16 13 28 8 27 623 Rope and Twine Works. 13 9 ..070 14 12 .. 0 7 0 15 21 .. 0 8 0 16 22 .. 0 10 5 17 5 .. 0 10 6 18 7 1 .. 0 16 8 19 1 .. 10 0 20 10 .. 1 10 0 Over 20 50 .. 2 3 9 7 0 8 0 10 5 10 6 16 8 0 0 10 0 3 9 (lanufacturers. Works. 1 10 0 1 10 0 3 0 0 2 11 0 Laundry Works. 15 ..i 5)062 16 1 I 5 0 7 10 17 .. 14 0 12 9 18 .. 6 0 13 1 19 .. 7 I 0 15 5 20 .. j 3 0 11 0 )ver20 7 1 50 j 1 1 4 0 14 0 | >rks. 1 Carpet Manufacturers. 161 1 ! .. 0 10 0 Over 20! 4 i .. .. 2 0 0 10 0 2 0 0 "l 0 14 0 J Basket Factories. Magnetic Medicated Belt Makers. 18 1 .. 0 9 0 19 1 ..090 Me 1 1 Belt Makers. 14 I 1 j .. 0 6 0 15 1 .. 0 10 0 17 1 .. 0 15 0 Over 20J 1 •• 2 8 0 Meat-preserving Companies. 14 1 .. 0 15 0 15 3 .. 0 16 8 16 9 .. 0 18 9 17 5 ..122 18 9 ..155 19 14 .. 2 7 9 20 1 .. •• 3 0 0 )ver 20 128 .. 2 8 4 3 10 9 'ompanies. Botanic Dispensary. 15 ..I 10 7 0 18 1 .. 0 15 0 Over 20 1 | .. | 2 0 0 msary. j Wood and Card Boxmakers. 15 5 1 3 0 5 9 16 2 7 0 7 7 17 .. 3 0 10 4 18 2 .. 0 11 6 19 2 0 9 0 20 1 .. 0 16 0 Over 20 6 10 I 1 3 1 0 6 0 Soxmakers. i. j . Monumental Mason Works. 16 I 1 • • 0 7 6 19 1 •■ 0 7 6 1 )ver 20] 5 .. 2 6 0 I Mechanical Dentistry. 16 1 .. 0 10 0 17 1 .. 0 12 6 )ver20 2 .. 2 15 0 Ham and Bacon Factories. 181 1 .. 0 12 0 Over 20 14 .. 1 17 0 1 17 6 Dye Works. 15 1 .. 0 10 0 19 1 1 0 12 6 20 2 0 13 9 )ver 20 3 .. 1 17 0 Babbit Preserving Factory. 17 15 .. 1 10 0 Over 20 25 .. 1 15 0 Cleaning and Dumping Wool and Flax, &c. )ver20[ 9 I .. I 2 10 9 I | Skin, Rug, and Mat Factories 15 l> .. 0 8 0 16 .. 10 9 0 17 1 1 0 12 0 19 .. 1 0 12 0 Over 20 2 .. 1 17 6 is. Vinegar Works. 15 1 .. 0 15 0 I 19 1 ..100 lver20 1 •■ 2 5 0 Glass Works. :ks. Wicker Factory. 18 1 I • ■ 0 10 0 iver20| 2 •• 1 10 0 2—H. 14. I •15 j 11 ;-.... *17 1 •19 1 *20 1 ! 1 1 1 1 s same famil * No wages ; all of tile same i'auiil; iy. y. I

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10

SUMMARY— continued.

The Condition op Laboue in Europe. As an accompaniment to the tables appended to this report showing the -wages, &c, of the industrial classes in New Zealand, it may be useful if we compare with these the following statistics concerning the position of working people on the Continent of Europe. Russia. Eussia has no law restricting the hours of adult labour. The average day is 12 hours. In the large mills the hours vary from 6 to 20, and in one or two cases are uninterrupted for 24, with a long rest afterwards. Juvenile labour is limited in its admission to 12 years of age ; from 12 to 15 years young persons are permitted to work for 8 hours. There is no importation of foreign labour, this being prevented by the long hours and low pay. The Russian labourer receives wages up to 84 roubles (£8 Bs.) a year, whereas the German will not work under the same conditions for less than 228 roubles (£22 165.). In the case of cotton-spinners, while the average hours of labour are 10 in England and. 12 in Russia, the English workman receives about £7 a month (70 roubles) and the Russian 19J roubles (£1 18s.). France. In 1848 a law was passed limiting the working-day to 12 hours of effective labour. In 1883 an Act concerning the hours, &c, of child-labour was passed, and a staff of inspectors appointed. Only 21 inspectors received appointments, and, as the establishments which numbered 100,000 in 1883 had increased to 110,000 in 1889, it was found impossible for the staff to cope with the work. M. Waddington in 1889 presented a Bill to the Chamber of Deputies, the preamble to which made the statement that " long hours of daily labour caused an undue multiplication of stoppages by the application and extension of machinery. They lowered wages by fatal competition between workmen at work and workmen without work. Considering that they exhaust prematurely the productive classes, and attack the mainspring of the nation which thus becomes less and less apt to reproduce and defend itself, it is proposed that a day's work should under no. pretext exceed eight hours in any mines, works, manufactures, or in general in any mechanical workshops whatever; and

Number employed. Average Wages per Week. Apprentices. I Number employed. average Wages per Week. Apprentices. Ages. 'imework. Piecework. I Male. Female. Time-work. Piecework. Male. Female. Male. Female. Male. Female. 15 16 17 18 19 20 iver 20 6 2 1 6 i 3 58 Sugar Kefining Works. £ s. d. £ s. a. 0 8 0 0 14 0 110 14 6 19 9 1 12 0 2 9 4 Works. £ s. d. 18] 16 17 18 19 20 Over 20i Cig i i ;aretfce and Tobacco Factor: £ s. d. £ s. d. 9 0 6 0! 3 0 7 0 4 0 12 0 5 0 12 6 2 0 16 0 10 0 2 10 0 10 0 6 i 2 10 i 8 0 0 ;co Factor: £ s. d. 10 0 10 0 3 0 0 ies. 2 8 ! Calico-bag Factory. 1 I 0 8 0 I 3 0 9 0 2 0 12 9 2 0 12 9 2 0 12 9 5 j 0 13 6 actory. 15 16 18 19 20 1 1 Umbrella Factories. 10 5 0 0 10 0 0 15 0 2 0 10 6 I 1 0 12 0 j j 1 male at 6 ! 0 12 3 13 0 0 •15 17 18 19 20 Over 20 "l \ iver 20 1 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Over 20 6 3 2 3 1 I 1 19 Iron Boiling Mills. 0 12 6 0 15 0 0 18 0 14 0 1 10 0 15 16 17 19 ivor-20; Gunsmith Factory. 1 1 1 1 ■ 1 .. I 0 10 0 .. 0 10 0 .. j 0 10 0 15 0 3 0 0 2 5 0 1 10 0 2 18 0 Galvanised Iron Works. 0 10 0 i 0 19 3 10 6 12 0 1 10 0 14 15 16 17 18 19 Over 20^ Pott 5 3: 2 itery and Earthenware Fac 2 10 6 0 1:066 070 0 11 6 .. j 1 2 0 3 ! 0 12 0 0 12 0 11 1 0 0 19 6 2 J 1 14 9 1 15 0 ,nufacturing and Eepairing .. 10 8 0 0 14 0 0 15 0 2 13 6 ;ory. 16 18 19 20 Over 20 i 2 8 4 18 "2! 20 Lime and Cement Works. Pi a 16 17 19 Over 20i ino Ma: 'acto: :es. 18 20 Over 20 2 1 16 10 0 1 16 0 2 10 0 1 1 1 6 Total males, 14,464 ; fe: lies, 5,9£ 32: in i all, 20,456.

11

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every infraction of this law should be punished by fine, or, in case of a second offence, by imprisonment." The Chamber of Deputies manifested hostility, and the question of the working-day has not yet been decided by legislation. Trades Unions. —The French penal code of 1810 declared that no association of more than twenty persons could exist without official permission. The authorities which had in the Middle Ages settled disputes between masters and men by means of the old guild and corporation officers had been pronounced illegal in 1791. It was not till the 25th May, 1867, that the laws forbidding combinations of working-men were repealed, although a certain sort of toleration had for a long time been extended to certain institutions appointed to decide on matters at issue between masters and men. The councils of elders (prud'homines) have been allowed to arbitrate between employers and employed ; but there are no legalized Courts of Arbitration since the attempt of M. Bovier Lapierre in 1890 failed to achieve effective legislation. Female Labour. —The laws generally dealing with the subject of labour make little difference between the hours of men and women, the law of 1848 establishing a twelve-hours' day containing no provision for the weaker sex. However, in particular industries female labour has been protected by Act (19th May, 1874), which prohibits the employment of girls in works and manufactories at night until they have reached the age of twenty-one, and they are not allowed under any'conditions to work in mines and quarries. It has been proved by the evidence before the Parliamentary Committee of 1890 that in shops, millinery, tailoring, and other establishments, where their time is usually 10 or 11 hours, for five or six months of the year they work from 8 a.m. till midnight. In certain factories the law against employing women at night seems set aside, as " in some spinneries where the day-shift is carried on by men, the night-shift is taken by their wives, so that some hours of the day may be selected during which the mother of a family can attend to the house and belongings." One can imagine the kind of rest enjoyed during the day by the mother of a family to fit her for a night of toil. Labour of Children. —By the law of the 19th May, 1874, children are not allowed to work in factories, mines, &c, unless they are over 10 years of age. Between 10 and 16 years, children may be employed-in any trade not dangerous to health, such as manufacturies of deleterious or poisonous gases, of mirror-coating with quicksilver, &c. Children above 12 and below 16 may be employed for 12 hours, subject to conditions as to school certificates, &c. There are constant political agitations to reform the Acts relating to the employment of children so as to prohibit their working under the age of 14, to suppress payment in kind (truck), &c, but these have not yet taken practical legal effect. Italy. The condition of labour in Italy is to some extent unique, since it is of comparatively recent origin. In 1870 the country awoke to new life ; public works on an enormous scale were inaugurated, an army and navy created, national education commenced; and, to meet these sudden and exhausting demands, heavy taxes were imposed. The new system, pressing severely upon some districts, and causing huge expenditure in others, affected the industrial equilibrium, and disturbed the adjustment of position between employers and workmen which was the sleepy growth of centuries. The most important industries of Italy were formerly of an agricultural character, but so rapid! v did the political changes affect the nature of the national work that the mechanical division rose in annual value from £480,000 in 1860, to £1,600,000 in 1880, and has risen to about £3,000,000 at present. In the agricultural districts of North and Central Italy, the labourers are badly fed and have poor lodgings. The permanent hands are best off, but the large number of day-labourers are in a state of great poverty. The wage of an adult man is from 200 to 300 lire (£8 to £12) per annum. The average daily wage is from Is. Bd. in summer, to Is. 2-Jd. in winter. A woman can earn from sd. to 6d. a day. In the South the labourer is better paid, as there is plenty of employment, and he can be sure of about £12 per annum. His ordinary pay of Is. 2-|-d. may rise in harvest time to 25., and even (occasionally) to 4s. The wages in factories differ very considerably, according to locality, and are about as follows : — Cantoni Cotton-mill, Province of Milan, — s. d. Spinners, males ... ... ... ... ... 1 6 per diem. Weavers, males ... ... ... ... ... 1 4 „ Eossi Woollen-mill, Province of Vicenza, — Spinners, males ... ... ... ... ... 4 4 „ Weavers, males ... ... ... ... ... 3 2 „ Sella Woollen-mills, Province of Novara, — Spinners, males ... ... ... ... ... 3 5-J „ Carders, males ... ... ... ... ... 2 0 „ Keller Silk-mill, Province of Cuneo, — Spinners, females ... ... ... ... ... 0 11-J- „ Throwsters, females ... ... ... ... ... 1 0J „ Italian Paper-mill, Province of Novara— Eag-workers ... ... ... ... ... 1 10 „ Paper-makers ... ... ... ■•• ... 2 „ Lanza Candle-factory, Province of Turin, — Hands, males ... ... ... ... ... 2 7 „ Hands, females ... ... .. ... ... 0 9| „ In the sulphur mines the daily wages of workmen average about Is. 9d. As a rule the rate in manufacturing industries is about Is. Bd. a day. In the railway workshops, averaging those at Verona, Florence, Foggia, Bologna, Naples, Eimini, and Lucca, the rate per day of ten hours is;—

H.—l4.

s. d. Artisans ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 3 Assistants ... ... ... ... . . ... 111 Apprentices ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 2| Labourers ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 7 Foremen .., ... ... ... ... ... 3 10 There are about 2,000,000 women employed in industrial labour, and 3,000,000 in agricultural. Women are in the majority in cotton, linen, jute, and silk trades, in the proportion of 117,000 women against 17,700 men. In the silk trade3B,ooo young girls are employed, against 2,000 boys; and in all trades, 47,500 girls, against 22,700 boys. The artisans are of an aspiring character, and wish to rise in the social scale; they are frugal, honest, and tractable. They are also very sober, except in Northern Italy, where drunkenness, arising from the use of ardent spirits, is unfortunately on the increase. The house-rent of an average artisan is about £4 16s. per annum, and the price of bread 4d. for the 21b.-loaf. Strikes take place occasionally, but the bond between master and workman is less strained than in other countries. The strikes have been accompanied in some instances by boycotting men ready to work in place of the strikers, and by practically putting the "blackleg" (called by the Italians " bedouin" or " krumiro") outside the pale of society. Most of the strikes have been on a small scale only, as there is a lack of money and of organisation. The principal trades union is that of the working printers ; its functions comprising the application of a normal tariff of wages, assistance to sick or unemployed members, and to widows and orphans, also the technical instruction of operatives and apprentices. The benefit societies proper are 4,817 in number, and have 740,280 members on their rolls. A National Insurance Fund, providing in case of accidents to labourers, has been started, and already about 400,000 men have been insured under this head. Germany. ■ Legislation affecting the interests of labour has received much attention in Germany. The most important measure was the passing of the Industrial Code (Geiverbeordnung) on the 21st June, 1869, but it received important amendments on the Ist June, 1891, especially the portion referring to the employment of women and young persons. The Industrial Code was also affected by the law of Industrial Courts (Geiverbegerichte) of the 29th July, 1890, respecting Courts of Arbitration. The compulsory insurance of workmen was insisted upon in the Imperial Rescript of the 17th November, 1881, this comprising three very important measures: First, that of the insurance of workmen against sickness. The second is an accident insurance, to which employers only contribute, these employers being generally united in a trade association which superintends the collection of funds for this purpose. The third is the insurance against old age and infirmity, the Act legalising which came into force on the Ist January, 1891. It includes all workers over sixteen who are wage-earners, and who would be left destitute if unable to work.* The following schedule of wages shows the current rate : — Upper Bavaria. Per Diem. s. d. s. d. For skilled male labourer ... ... ... ... 2 0 to 5 0 „ unskilled „ ... ... ... ... 110 „ 210 „ skilled female labour ... ... ... .... 16 „ 30 „ unskilled „ ... ... ... ... 1 11 „ 16 Alsace. Cotton-mills— Young person working 12 hours ... ... ... 0 9f „ 1 0 Girls at drawing-frames ... ... ... ... 1 2J „ 1 9-| Boys at carding-machines ... ... ... ... 1 6 , 1 8J Spinners ... ... ... ... ... ... 210 ~3 10^ Cotton-weaving mills— Young persons working for 12 hours ... ... ... 10 „ 1 2-J-Spooling ghls ... ... ... ... ... 1 2J „ 1 7£ (1 4i Male weavers (according to number of looms used) ... 0 8 „ -|2 0 (2 U

* The law demands that every person, male or female, sixteen years of age and over, occupying the position of labourer, servant, or clerk, whose wage amounts to less than 2,000 marks (about £100) per annum must insure. The premium is paid in equal parts by employer and employe, the Government contributing about £2 10s. to each premium annually. The premiums are divided into four classes, adjusted to the rate of wages received—viz. (the mark being equal in value to the English shilling and containing 100 pfennigs) : First, those earning 350 marks per year or less pay 14 pfennigs per week ; second, those earning from 350 to 550 marks per year pay 20 pfennigs a week; third, those earning from 550 to 850 marks per year pay 24 pfennigs ; fourth, thoso earning from 850 to 2,000 marks per year pay 30 pfennigs. As from a sick fund, the insurer receives benefits as follows : First class, 114 marks 70 pfennigs per annum; second class, 124 marks 10 pfennigs ; third class, 131 marks 15 pfennigs ; fourth class, 191 marks. The pension accrues to every person who reaches seventy years of age after the Ist January, 189 l' whether able to work or not, provided that he or she worked three years prior to that date. It also applies to those over seventy years of ago before that date. The age-pension is as follows : First class, 106 marks 40 pfennigs ; second class, 134 marks 60 pfennigs ; third class, 162 marks 80 pfennigs ; fourth class,. 191 marks. Every female in case of marriage may demand the return of half her paid premiums. About eleven millions of people come under the operation of this law. Accidents happening during work come under provisions of another Act.

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Buckau. Engineering works — Fitters ... ... ... ... ... ... od. an hour. Locksmiths ... ... ... ... ... 4} „ Turners ... ... ... ... ~ ... 4f „ Carpenters ... .. ... ... ... 4|- „ Blacksmiths ... ... ... ... ... 4J „ Boiler-makers ... ... ... ... ... 4-|- „ Tube-fitters ... ... ... ... ... 4} Labourers ... ... ... ... ... 3J- „ Potsdam. s. d. Brickmakers ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 0 per week. Labourers ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 0 „ Carters ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 0 Glass-blowers ... ... ... ... ... ... 80 0 „ Woollen industry— Washers (male) ... ... ... ... 12 0 „ Carding boys ... ... ... ... ... 60 „ Worsted-weavers ... ... ... ... ... 17 6 „ Labourers ... ... ... ... ... 11 0 „ Carders (female) ... ... ... ... ... 90 „ Spinners ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 0 „ Weavers ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 6 „ Fullers and dyers ... ... ... ... ... 11 0 „ Wool-sorters (female) ... ... ... ... 7 0 „ Cloth-shearers ~. ... ... ... ... 8 6 „ ■ Hat-making— Spinners ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 6 „ Machine-felt makers ... ... ... ... 14 0 „ Sizers ... ... ... ... ... ... 14 0 „ Trimmers (female) ... ... ... ... ... 12 0 „ Hand-felt makers ... ... ... ... ... 17 0 „ Pumice-stoners and spongers ... ... ... 16 0 „ Pressers ... ... ... ... ... ... 14 0 „ Paper-making— Bag-sorters (female) ... ... ... ... 60 „ Hands at machine ... ... ... ... ... 12 0 „ Sorters (female) ... ... ... ... ... 50 „ Rag-engine hands ... ... ... ... ... 10 0 „ Hands serving the-paper-machine ... ... ... 12 0 „ Packers ... ... ... ... ... ... 9 0 „ Building trade— i- Masons and bricklayers ... ... ... ... 20 0 „ Labourers ... ... .. ... ... 12 6 „ Carpenters ... ... ... ... ... 19 0 „ Wood industry— Sawmill hands ... ... ... ... ... 16 0 „ Cabinet-makers ... ... ... ... ... 20 0 „ Wood-carvers ... ... ... ... ... 22 0 „ Polishers ... ... ... ... ... ... 19 6 „ Germans have great prejudice against piece-work, on the ground that it is much more exhausting than day-work; especially if the object produced is small, and a great number must be made in a short time. The monotony, and the continued identical movement of hands and feet, has a hurtful effect, producing nervous exhaustion, especially in women. The opinion is such work should be limited to, at most, ten hours. Working-hours. —ln Alsace-Lorraine about 12 hours constitutes the working-day, but it is varied according to necessity and the pressure of contracts. Thus, in one glass-works the men have worked for 24 hours continuously, but get the same period allowed them for repose. In the district of Potsdam, Frankfort-on-Oder, the working-day varies from 13 to 14 hours (with a mid-day rest), but sometimes it reaches 15 hours —namely, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. In the district of Magdeburg most factories work between 10 and 11 hours. If overtime at night (from 12 midnight to 6 a.m.) is worked, men receive double-pay for low-rate workmen, and treble-pay for the first-class employes. There is a strong feeling in favour of a legalised working-day of 8 hours, but the employers hesitate to institute such reform, as, unless universal, those initiating the movement would be exposed to competition with the establishments working long hours. Trade Combinations. —The genuine trade union did not exist in Germany until 1868, and was copied in its main form from the already-working English associations of the same nature.. A general congress of workmen was summoned in Berlin on the 26th September, 1868, for the purpose of establishing a central trades union for the whole of Germany. This was opposed by the leaders and founders of the friendly societies; but, from a conciliatory policy on the part of these opposing forces, the now-existing federation (Verband der Deutschen Gewerkvereine) was ultimately formed, which embraces 18 national trades unions and 1,400 local unions with 63,000 members. The

13

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14

association is opposed to the socialist movement, recognising fully that the trades union is an individualistic and competitive society in its real aims and objects. The socialist combinations have more of a political than an industrial character. Standing committees of workmen in particular factories sometimes act with success in trade disputes, assisting the Inspectors of factories by maintaining good order among work-people, by acting as councils of conciliation, and by assisting employers in the solution of questions affecting the prosperity of business and the interests of the hands. A committee consists of eight workmen or workwomen, elected by ballot for two years, and it reports once a year to a general meeting of the persons employed. Combinations of employers to resist strikes have also been formed, and have in some cases agreed to shut down their mills simultaneously ; but such extreme measures have fortunately seldom been called for. The Government Factory Inspectors have nearly the- same powers and duties as those under the New Zealand Factories Act, and look after the health, hours, and condition of the labourers, prevention of accidents, &c. ; they also act as mediators in cases of disputes between masters and men. Genebal. Working-hours. —ln Turkey, a working-day is counted from sunrise to sunset; and in Montenegro from 6 a.m. till sunset. In Portugal the agricultural labourers work from sunrise to sunset, and in the manufactories 12 hours in summer and 10 in winter. In Belgium the average number of working-hours is 11: but brewers' men work 17: tramway-drivers 15 to 17 ; railway-guards sometimes 19 hours on a stretch ; and in mining districts women are frequently kept at truck-loading and similar heavy work for 13 or 14 hours. In Saxony the day is 13 hours, with two hours' allowance for meals. At Baden 10 to 12 hours, but often rising in stoneware, factories and cotton-mills to 15 hours, sawmills 17 hours, sugar-works 24 hours, with 24 hoars free; and in many factories Sundaywork as well. Austria does not allow workpeople to toil for more than Hi hours, but this does not include 1J hours for rest and food. In mines the actual working-shift is limited to 10 hours. In Switzerland the working-day must not exceed 11 hours, with one hour interval for food. On Saturdays and holidays the workshops must close two hours earlier than usual. In America the hours differ according to the law and usage of the particular State. In New York 8 hours is a legal day for all classes of mechanics and labourers, except farm and domestic servants, railway surface-men in cities, &c, who have a day of 10 hours. Connecticut, Pennsylvania, California, and Indiana have the eight-hours' day. Michigan, Ehode Island, Maine, Florida, and Maryland use 10 hours as a workingday ; and this rate of 10 hours extends over the other States generally. EAELY DAYS OF NEW ZEALAND. Prices of Provisions at Auckland July, 1841. s. d. s. d Beef ... ... ... per lb. 1 4 Tea ... ... ... per lb. 10 0 Mutton ... ... ... per lb. 1 0 Coffee ... ... ... per lb. 2 6 Pork ... ... ... per lb. 0 7 Sugar, brown ... ... per lb. 0 6 Flour ... ... ... per lb. 0 5 Sugar, refined ... ... per lb. 1 0 Bread ... ... ... per lb. 0 7 Eice ... ... ... per lb. 0 4 Cheese, English ... ... per lb. 2 0 Potatoes ... ... ... perewt. 8# 0 Butter, fresh ... ... per lb. 2 6 Bent and Lodgings, 1841. Wooden houses (unfurnished) —Two small rooms and kitchen ... £60 to £80 per annum. Lodgings (unfurnished) —One small room ... ... ... £1 per week. Board and lodging—Board, being without malt or spirituous liquors, and lodging, a bed in a room with others ... £2 a week. Wages, 1841. Carpenters ... ... ... ... ... 16s. to £1 a day. Brickmakers ... ... ... ... ... 10s. a day. Labourers ... ... ... ... ... Bs. a day. Men servants ... ... .... ... ... £4 per month and board. Maid-servants... ... ... ... ... £36 per annum and board. Boys ... ... ... ... ~. 10s. per week and board.

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WAGES. Average Rates of Wages in each Provincial District of New Zealand during the Year 1891.

15

Description of Labour. Auckland. Taranaki. Hawke's Bay. Wellington. Marlborough "i Nelson. Westland (Goldfield). Canterbury. I Otago (Part Goldfield). i. Agricultural Labour. Farm-labourers : With board, per week Without board, per day Ploughmen : With board, per week .. Without board, per day Reapers : With board, per week Without board, per day Mowers : With board, per week Without board, per day Threshers : With board, per week Without board, per day 8s. to 20s. 5s. to 6s. I2S. tO 25S. 5s. to 7s. 15s. to 25s. 6s. .. 16s. to 20s. 4s. to 7s. .. 20s. to 25s. 6s. to 7s. .. 48s. to 60s. 8s. to ios. 2OS. to 25s. 7s. 20s. to 25s. 7s. 20s. to 25s. 7s. 15s. to 20s. 6s. 6d. to 7s. 15s. to 25s. 20s. 2OS. 7s. 25s. 7s. 30s. 7s. % 20s. . . 6s. .. 25s. .. 7s. 6d. 48s. .. gs. .. 2SS. .. 6s. .. 30s. .. 7S. .. 40s. .. 2OS. 7S. 20s. to 22s. 6d. .. 40s. is. 6d. per hour .. 15s. to 2OS. 7 s - 20s. to 22s. 6d. 8s. 40s, to 50s. 8s. to 9s. 15s. to 20s. 6s. .. 48s. to 60s. 8s. to ios. 20s. to 25s. 7s. 20s. 30s. 8s. 603. .. us. 6d. 40s. .. 50s. is. 6d. per hour .. 40s. to 50s. 8s. to 9s. los. to 15s. 6s. .. 40s. to 48s. 6s. to 8s. .. 20s. to 25s. 7s. 20s. 30s. 7 s - 42s. .. 8s. 6d. 40s. .. 40s. ios. 50s. to 60s. 7s. to ios. 2. Pastoral Labour. Shepherds, with board, per annum Stockkeepers, with board, per annum Hutkeepers, with board, per annum Station-labourers: With board, per week Without board, per day Sheep-washers : With board, per day Without board, per day Sliearers, with board, per 100 sheep sheared Men-cooks on stations, with board, per week £26 to £52 .. £26 to £65 .. £zo to los. to 15s. 25s. per week 30s. 20s. 25s. to 30s. per week 25s. to 30s. „ 20s. to 25s. „ 20s. to 25s. £ 5 2 to £100 £52 to 20s. per week 20s. £60 £50 20s. 6s. ;£75 •• 25s. .. £ 75 to £80 /50 to £55 £35 to 20s. to 25s. 6s. £55 to £60. ;£55 to £65. £50. 15s. to 20s. 8s. ... JOS. . . 5s. 20s. per week 7s. 8s. gs. 7s. to ios. 15s. to 17s. 6d. 17s. 6d. .. 17S.9P. .. 17s. 6d. to 20s. 16s. 16s. 8d. 20s. 15s. to 17s. 6d. los. to 25s. 20s. 2OS.- to 30s. 20s. to 253. 25s. 30s. .. 20s. to 25s. 20s. to 25s. 3. Artisan Labour (per day, without board). 8s. to 9s. 8s. .. 8s. .. 7s. to 8s. 7s. to ios. 7s. to 8s. 8s. .. 6s. to 7s. 6s. to 6s. 6d. 6s. to 7s. 6s. to 7s. 8s. 8s. 8s. 7s. to 8s. .. 8s. 8s. I2S. IIS. I2S. gs. ios. to iis. IOS. I2S. 9s. to 12s. gs. to 12s. gs. to 12s. 8s. to ios. 8s. to 12s. 8s. to ios. ios, to iis. 8s. to ios. 7s. to ios. IOS.* 8s. 6d. to ios.* IOS. I2S. IOS. gs. IOS. I2S. .. I2S. . . I2S. .. IIS. .. IOS. . . I2S. .. I2S. .. IOS. IOS. gs. to 12s. gs. to 15s. IIS. to I2S, 8s. to us. 8s. to 12s. IOS. tO I2S, I2S. tO I5S. gs. to 13s. 8s. to ios. 8s. to ios. 7s. 6d. to 8s. Masons Plasterers Bricklayers Carpenters Smiths Wheelwrights Shipwrights Plumbers Painters Saddlers Shoemakers IOS. 14s. .. 14s. .. 14s. .. I2S. .. I2S. . . I2S. .. I2S. . . I2S. .. IOS. .. IOS. . . IOS. 8s. to gs. 8s. gs. gs. 8s. to 9s. 8s. 8s. 8s. IOS. 8s. 6s. 8s. 6s. IOS. 9s. 9s. 9s. gs. gs. IOS. 8s. gs, .. i 8s. 8s. 6d. I I2S. .. * 40s. to 50s. per week.

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16

WAGES. Average Rates of Wages in each Provincial District of New Zealand during the Year 1891— continued.

Description of Labour. Auckland. Taranaki. Hawke's Bay. Wellington. Marlborough. Nelson. Westland (Goldfield). Canterbury. Otago (Part Goldfield). Coopers .. .. .. 7s. to 7s. 66. Watchmakers .. .. .. 7s. to 12s. 6s. 8s. 9s. .. .. ; IOS. 8s. 6d. to ios. ios. 8s. ios. 8s. IOS. IOS. IOS. I2S. . . . . | 15s ! 8s. 8s. 8s. to 12s. gs. to 12s. 4. Servants. Married couples without family, with board, per annum .. .. | to Married couples with family, with board, per annum .. .. to Grooms, with board, per week .. 15s. to 25s. Gardeners : With board, per week .. .. ! 10s. to 25s. Without board, per day .. | 6s. Cooks, with board, per week .. 12s. to 20s. Laundresses, with board, per week 12s. to 20s. General house-servants, with board, 1 per week .. .. .. 5s. to ios. Housemaids, with board, per week.. 5s. to ios. Nursemaids, per week, with board .. 3s. to 7s. Needlewomen ; With board, per week .. .. ios. to 15s. Without board, per day .. 3s. to 4s. £40 to £50 20s. to 25s. 20s. 6s. to 8s. .. ios. to 20s. 15s. £ 7 o to £80 .. j 25s. :: 25s. to 30s. 7s. to 9s. 15s. to 25s. I2S. tO I5S. £70 to £90 .. 15s. to 25s. 20s. to 25s. 7s. to gs. 15s. to 25s. I2S. . . £?o £?o 20s. £0o 20s. 30s. 8s. 20s. I2S. 30s. 8s. •• •• £50 £45 20s. 20s. 25s. .. 40s. .. IOS. . . . . 25s. .. 20s. .. £70 to £ 75 £60 to /70 25s. to 30s. 30s. to 40s. IOS. 15s. to 20s. 15s. to 20s. £6 5 to £80. £ 5 o to £65. 15s. to 25s. 20s. to 30s. 7s. to 8s. 15s. to 20s. I2S. tO 15s. 20S. I2S. us. I2S. 8s. to 12s. 6d. 6s. to 12s. 6d. 4s. to 9s. .. IOS. tO I4S. IOS. tO I2S. . . I 5s. to 8s. .. I ios. to 15s. ios. to 15s. 5S. tO 103. IOS. IOS. 7s. IOS. IOS. 7s. IOS. IOS. 7s. 15s. .. 15s. .. IOS. . . . . I 15s. to 18s. ios. 7s. to 8s. IOS. tO 123. IOS. tO I2S. 5s. to 8s. 2s.6d.t04s. 13s. 6d. 3s. 6d. to 5s. .. 20s. 20s. 15s, 18s. .. 20s. 5s. 15s. 3s. to 4s. 4 S. 3 s - 3 s - " 5. Miscellaneous. General labourers, without board, per day .. .. .. 5s. to 7s. Stonebreakers, without board, per I cubic yard .. .. .. 3s. to 3s. 6d. Seamen, with board, per month .. £5 to £8 Miners, without board, per day .. 6s. 6d. to 7s. 6s. to 6s. 6d. 7s. to 8s. 6s. to 8s. 7s. ■■ I 7s. IOS . . 6s. to 7s. 6s. to 7s. 4 s. 2S. £7 -. 3s. to 3s. 6d. .. £7 to £8 .. £7 9s. * * I 5S. £8.. gs. IOS. .. 3s. 6d. .. £7 to £8 I2S. 3s. 6d. £4 to £8. gS. tO IOS. 8s. P. day. Engine-drivers, without board .. 8s. Tailors, „ . 8s.* .. Tailoresses, „ .. 5s.* Dressmakers, „ .. 3s. to 4s. Milliners, „ .. 4s. to 6s. 6d. Machinists, „ .. 3s. 6d. Storekeepers, „ .. 6s. to 7s. Storekeepers'assistants, „ .. 5s. to 6s. 6d. Drapers'assistants, „ .. 7s. to 7s. 6d. Grocers' assistants, „ .. 6s. to 6s. 6d. Butchers, „ .. 6s. to 7s. Bakers, „ .. 6s. to 7s. Storemen, „ .. j 6s. to 7s. Compositors, „ .. j 7s. to 12s.* P. Say. 8s. to 9s. .. 6s. 4 s. 4s. to 5s. .. 4s. to 5s. .. 3s. 6d. to 4s. ios. 3s. to 8s. 6d. 3s. to 9s. .. 3s. to gs. .. 7s. to 8s. .. 8s. to 8s. 6d 5s. to 6s. 6d. 8s. to 9s. .. P. day. P. wk. 8s. tons. IOS. 15s. to 25s. ios. to 20s. 20s. to 35s. 20s. to 25s. gs. 6d. 40s. to 80s. 40s. to 65s. 40s. to 50s. 40s. to 60s. 40s. to 60s. 5 os. P. day. P. wk. 6s. to us. 6d. 40s. to 60s. ios. 40s. to 50s. 5s. to 8s. 20s. 15s. to 30s. 20s. 20s. to 25s. 30s. to 60s. 183. to 60s. 30s. to 60s. 20s. to 60s. 30s. to 60s. 30s. to 50s. 40s. 30s. to 60s. P. day. us. gs. 3 s - 3 s - 8s. 5 s - 8s. 7s. 8s. 7 s - 7 s - 8s. 8s. IOS. j P. day. P. wk ios. gs. 3s. 4s. 6d. 2S. 50s. 35 s - 40s. 40s. 40s. 40s. 55S. 60s. P. day. P. wk. I2S. IOS. 5s. 3 S. 5 s - 5s. 60s. toioos. 40s. to 60s. 60s. toioos. 40s. to 60s. 40s. to 60s. 40s. to 60s. 60s. to 70s. 60s. to 70s. P. day. 12s. 8s. 3s. 6d. .. 3s. 3s. 3s. 6d. .. P. day. gs. to 12s. 8s. 6s. to gs. 3s. to 4s. 3S. 3s. 6d. to 5s. 2S. 6d. to 3s. 7s. 5s. 5s. to 6s. 5 s - 7s. 8s. to gs. gs. gs. to ios. P.Wk. 60S. 50s. to 60s. 25s. to 30s. 18s. 203. 18s. 50s. to 80s. 20s. to 50s. 40s. to 503 20s. to 50s. 40s. to 60s. J3os. to 35s. 40s. to 50s. 40s. to 70s. 7s. 8s. 6d. .. 7s. 7s. 7s. 8s. IOS. * Mostly piecework. t With board.

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PRICES. Average Prices of Produce, Live-stock, Provisions, &c., in each Provincial District of New Zealand during the Year 1891.

17

r^ Articles. I I Auckland. Taranaki. j Hawke's Bay. Wellington. ! Marlborough. Kelson. Westland (Goldfieki). Canterbury. Otago (Part Goldlield). I j 4s. 3d. to 4s. gd. 4s. .. 2s. gd. to 3s. 3d. j 3s. .. is. iod. to 2s. 2d. i is. 6d. 3s. to 4s. 6d. .. 5s. .. 7d. to is. .. 1 is. 6d. £3 to £3 ios. .. Lf 3 .. .. I 2S. 8d. .. j is. iod. .. is. .. /s ios. I. Agricultural Produce : Wheat .. .. per bushel .. ] 3s. 6d. to 5s. .. 3s. gd. to 5s. .-, 4s. Barley .. .. per bushel ., | 3s. 6d. .. I 3s. to 3s. 6d. .. 2s. 6d. Oats .. .. per bushel ,. ' 2s. to 2s. gd. \ 2s. to 2s. 6d. .. 2s. 6d. Maize .. .. per bushel .. j 2s. 4d. to 4s. .. j 33. 3d. to 3s. 6d. ' 3s. 3d. Bran .. .. per bushel .. iod. to is. 6d... ! is. to is. gd. .. is. 3d. Hay .. .. per ton .. .. £2 10s. to £3 ias. £1 15s. to £3 .. £3 .. ■ J 6d. 5s, 3s. 6d. 2S. gd. 4s. 6d. is. 2d. 4s. 6d... 3s. 6d... is. iod. 3s. gd... £3 ■■ .. .4s. 6d. to 5s. .. ; 2s. 6d. to 3s. .. I is. 6d. to 2S. .. I 2S. gd. to 5s. 3d. .. ! gd. to is. • ■ j £ 2 to £3 ios. I I » ..'..'.. £13 ios. .. 7s. 6d. 8d. II. Flour and Bread : Flour, wholesale .. per ton of 2,ooolb. ; /12 to £16 .-. Lfr110s.tof1510s.Lf15 .. „ retail .. per bag of 5olb. : 7s. to 8s. .. j 7s. to 8s. 6d. .. ; 8s. Bread .. .. per 41b. loaf .. j yd. to 8d. .. , 7jd. .. . . ! 7d. .. III. Live-stock and Meat : Horses, — Draught .. per head .. j /io to £16 .. j £iy to /20 .. /20 to £40 Saddle and Harness per head .. '■ £5 to /14 .. £6 to £y 10s. .. j £8 to /20 Cattle,— Fat .. ., per head .. ; £4 to £5 .i\£$io£6 .. 1 £5 5s. Milch Cows .. per head .. ! £3 10s. to £4 .: £4 ios. to £\ 15s.! to £6 Sheep, Fat .'. per head .. : 14s. to 15s. .. ' us. to 12s. .. : ios. 6d. Lambs, Fat .. per head .. 7s. to 12s. 6d. .. 8s. 6d. .. 8s. Butchers' Meat, — Beef .. .. per lb. .. .. I 4jd. to 6d. .. 3d. .. .. Ud. Mutton.. .. per lb. .. .. 3d. to sd. .. 3d. to 3jd. ■ ..3d. .. Veal .. .. per lb. .. .. ' 5d. .. .. \ qd. to 4jd. .. 4d. Pork .'. .'. per lb. .. .. 4d. to 5d. .. i 4d. to 58. .. : 5d. Lamb .. .. per lb. .. .. ; 4d. tosd. . .!4d. to 6d. .. : 5d. .. IV. Dairy Produce : Butter,— Fresh .. .. per lb. .. .. j 6Jd. to iod. . ,;8Jd. tood. . .jis. 3d. Salt .. .. per lb. .. .. ! sd. to 8d. .. : 6d. to 8d. .. | iod. .. Cheese, — Colonial .. per lb. .. .. 5d. to 8d. .. ; 4jd. to 7d. .. 6d. .. Imported .. per lb. .. .. j is. .. .. j yd.. .. .. j gd. Milk .. .. per quart ., 3d. to 6d. .. 3d. .. .. 3d. .. to £ 14 .. 7s. 3d. to 8s. .. : 7s. 6d. 7d. to 8d. .. 7d... £20 to £30 .. £20 .. £10 ios. to £8 .. : £(,.. £4 to £ 5 ■■£!■. IOS. tO I2S. . . I IOS. 8s. to gs. .. ! 8s. .. • 3d. to 5d. .. j 4d... 2d. to 4 jd. .. 3d... 4d. to 6d. .. i 4d... 4d. to 6d. .. J 5d... 6d. to 7d.; 3s. to 4jd. 3s. 6d. per qr. gd. .. .. 6d... 7d. .. .. 6d... 6d. to yd. .. J 4d... iod. to is. 3d. .. ' 6d... 3 d. .. - .. tad..: I ■ •• ■ 7S- .. 7d. ■ . . : IOS. • ■•Us. • • i 5ld. .. Ud. .. 6d. .. : 6d. .. J 8d. .. 1 6d. .. yd. . . i IS. .. i 4 d. £30 £10 £y ios. £8 ios. 18s. I2S. 6d. 6d. 8d. 6d. iod. £'3 ■■ 6s. gd... 6d. .. £12 to £23 £3 to £ 12 /5 to £9 £3 to 13s. to 16s. ios. to 14s. 5d. .. 3d. .. 4 d. .. 6d. .. 6d. .. .. I to ios. .. ; 6s. 6d. to 7s. 6d. .. J 6d. to 7d. ■ • £ 2 ° to .. £ 15 to £ 18. ■■ \£3 to £y. .. j 14s. to 15s. .. j 8s. to us. .. 4d. to 5d. .. 3d. to 4d. .. 3d. to 5d. .. 4d. to 6d. .. ! 4d. to sd. is. 6d is. 3d. iod. 8d. .. .. Sd. to is. id. .. 6d, to iod. gd. is. 8d. 5 d. .. 3d. .'.' .. i 5d. to 7d. 8d. to is. .. i 2jd. to 4d.

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18

Price 9d.]

PRICES. Average Prices of Produce, Live-stock, Provisions, &c., in each Provincial District of New Zealand during the Year 1891—continued.

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Map shewing THE STATES IN AMERICA WHERE LABOUR BUREAUS ARE ESTABLISHED AND THE DATES OF THEIR ESTABLISHMENT.