of getting a quorum to sit or adjudicate on certain trade disputes was rapidly coming to be felt as a grievance by the workmen concerned, when the unexpected arrival of the two absentees solved the problem. It is probable, however, that the Government will next session move to amend the law so as to provide for such contingencies.
"The Factories Act" is a consolidation of previous legislation, with some important additions. New Zealand has been divided into factory districts under the charge of a chief inspector and 163 local inspectors. As a "factory" or "work-room" includes any place in which two or more persons are engaged in working for hire or reward in any handicraft, there are few operatives who do not come within the scope of the Act. Children under fourteen years of age are not allowed to be employed, and the hours of labour, holidays, etc., of women and youths under sixteen are strictly regulated. Good ventilation, sanitary accommodation, and general cleanliness of buildings are points dwelt upon; while machinery has to be properly guarded, fire-escapes provided, and dangerous occupations especially classified. In order to assist the system of free general education which prevails in the colony, young persons are not allowed to work in factories till they have passed the fourth standard of the State schools, or an equivalent examination. To prevent the introduction of "sweating," articles made, or partly made, in private dwellings, or unregistered workshops, have to be labelled when offered for sale, so that goods so manufactured (often in unsanitary premises) may not be placed in the market in competition with work done in properly inspected factories. Any person removing such labels is liable to a heavy fine. The Factory Inspectors also exercise supervision over the sleeping accommodation provided for shearers in country districts.
