LABOUR FORCE IN NEW ZEALAND HAS LARGE INCREASE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 34, 5 September 1949, Page 4

LABOUR FORCE IN NEW ZEALAND HAS LARGE INCREASE

In the last year New Zealand’s labour force increased by more than . 10,000 to 476,309, according to the half-yearly survey of employment issued by the Department of Labour and Employment. In April, 1948, the figure was 466,100, and the year before 451,185. “Although inflow of non-Maori juveniles into the labour force is still diminishing, there have been gains from other sources,” says the survey. “Thus there have been increases from Maori juveniles, fromimmigration, and from the spread „ of industry in smaller towns. These, together with a relatively low rate of outflow, have resulted in a continuing increase. The survey shows that from April, 1947, to April this year the labour force is found to a large extent in a number of key industries. Figures given are: Bush sawmilling, from 5889 to 7030; brick, tile, and' stoneware 2010 to 2464; coalmining 5459 to 5798; power and water supply 8350 to 8787; forestry from 1901 to 2313. Hospitals have gained 434 workers in the last 12 months, Christchurch, topping the list with 102. Wellington was second with 88.

Rail transport services, though still short of 2383 workers, have gained 351 during the year. There has been a levelling out in the previous upward trend of employment in the engineering. and metal working industries, the number of workers engaged in them, increasing from 48,365 in October, 1948, to 48,908 ■ last April. The greatest number of vacancies occur in clothing manufacture (297 for men, 4180 for women); footwear manufacture (328 men, 429 women); engineering and metals (1186 men, " 113 women); printing and bookbinding (420 men, 354, women); ’ Post and Telegraph Department (807 men, 86 women); wholesale 1 and retail trade (1413 men, 1137 women); hospitals (247 men, 1686 women); building and construction (2002 men).