5-16 



PROCEEDINGS OF .SECTION G^. 



enumerated in the list of enactments of recent years in New South 

 Walbs, we may well experience profound sui-prise at tJie short-sighted- 

 ness of 100 years ago, Avhen men were repressed by Draconian laws, 

 whilst it Avas possible to ''allure them to brighter worlds, and lead the 

 way" by means of beneficent, thrift-encouraging, and humanitarian 

 measures, such as are embodied in my sjTiopsis of enactments. 



The mere title of an Act might be completely delusive, and while 

 the name might suggest an advance in the direction of reform, the 

 provisions enacted under this specious and attractive coating might 

 be reactionary and repressive. Hence, I liaA^e taken the trouble 

 to indicate in the above analysis the cardinal principles contained in 

 our recent legislation. 



lleturning to the codified system of laws which 1 liave presented, 

 I shall now examine the sequence which has been followed in the intro- 

 duction of the new laws; or, in other words, ascertain the trend of 

 the desires of our legislators (representing the State) as evinced in the 

 order of attention given to the various interests treated. 



First, as to General Aspects.- — Taking the order of legislation in. 

 ]-espect of the broad general interests of the industrial classes, we find 

 that the earliest suljjccts for treatment were those relating to indus- 

 trial conditions and safeguards in trade This would very naturally be 

 expected as the most pressing of the requirements of the working 

 classes. 



Next in order honi the general point of view, the health interests 

 and matters relating to food, drink, and bodily welfare received atten- 

 tion : and, finally, the miscellaneous matters concerning the general 

 welfare and protection of the people obtained legislative notice. 



Secondly, as to Special Aspects. — In this connection we find that 

 the several trades oi' occupations involving industrial interests during 

 tlie manhoiKl stages of life were treated in the following sequence : — 



(1) Shipping, (-1) Agricultural, 



(2) Shopkeeping, (5) Pastoral. 



(3) Mining, 



Thirdly, as to the Helpless Stages of Life. — Youth was tlie first 

 to receive attention, and then ag'e and infancy, the two extremes of 

 life, were cared for at about the same time. 



The attached graph enables a ready insiglit to ])e obtained as to 

 the years in which legislation was enacted aft'ecting the interests 

 grouped under the several sub-headings. 



Divided into quinquennial periods, the following table shows the 

 proaression in the number of laws enacted : — 



