PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION G. 541 



far back as 1891, and the first quarterly periodic form liaa also 'been 

 issued. It is gratifying to notice that on the whole a most satis- 

 factory response has been made to the inquiries by the union sec- 

 retaries, although a number are unable at present to furnish any 

 returns as to unemployment. 



The only hope of obtaining substantially complete returns is 

 in persistent effort, and the education of the union officers in the 

 desirability of co-operating in the movement. Owing to the fact 

 that the local unions frequently change their secretaries, the diffi- 

 culty of the task is increased. 



Coming now to the main other branch (conditions of employ- 

 ment), I would like to say a few words, firstly, in regard to the 

 question of wages and hours of labour, secondly, in regard to 

 strikes and locks-outs, thirdly, labour organizations, and lastly, 

 prices and cost of living. 



4. Rates of Wages and Hours of Labour. 



At the present time anything like complete or accurate infor- 

 mation as to the effect of operations under the various Arbitration 

 and Wages Boards Acts in Australia does not exist in Australia, 

 with the result that many reforms and measures are now directed 

 more or less in the dark, and hence it is impossible to accurately 

 gauge what their ultimate effect will be, either on the persons in- 

 tended to be directly benefited, or on the community at large. 

 Whether any action or measure is likely to be practicable, or per- 

 manently successful in attaining the desired ends, depends upon 

 whether it is, or is not, adapted to the circumstances of the case, 

 and these can only be known by careful collection and analysis of 

 the facts. Although the progress of a community may be more or 

 less efficiently guided by mere general impressions, or by instinct, 

 and may be rapidly advanced by a bounteous nature, yet ulti- 

 mately that nation will achieve the greatest measure of success, 

 and will attain the greatest degree of happiness and prosperity, 

 whose investigators discover the largest body of scientific truth, 

 and whose practical men are the most prompt in its industrial 

 application. 



In addition to the publication of actual rates of wages, the 

 branch will carry out from year to year a comprehensive investiga- 

 tion into the course of wages throughout the Commonwealth. Not 

 only will a record be kept of all changes in rates of wages and 

 hours of labour, and the number of workers effected thereby, but 

 the matter will be treated in a thoroughly representative manner 

 by the employment of the method of index-numbers, which will 

 be computed for different groups of industries, as well as for dif- 

 ferent localities. In order to ensure accuracy in the results the 

 rates of wages will be weighted according to the number of persons 

 engaged in the various industries and occupations. 



