LABOUR IN 1926.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18888, 31 December 1926, Page 5

LABOUR IN 1926.

RECORD UNEMPLOYMENT. PERIOD OF DEPRESSION. In the fact that it had one rather serious industrial dispute, the year 1926 was different from 1925, which was characterised by the peaceful relations existing in industry. The disturbance referred to occurred in the freezing works, where the limitation by the workers of the number of animals slaughtered caused the employers to adopt disciplinary measures. The trouble was overcome, however, and the season concluded without great inconvenience being caused. Within the past few days a settlement has been reached of the disagreement between the shipping companies and the Lyttelton Waterside Workers' Union regarding Saturday afternoon work. On several occasions throughout the year conferences were held, and proved abortive.

Industrial action on the part of the workers was not nearly so great a problem as unemployment, which caused a considerable amount of distress, particularly in the winter month?. Heavy importing and a general decline in the productivity of the country, coupled with a fall iu the price of'the Dominion's primary products on the Home market, were assigned as reasons for the depression. The heaviest registrations of unemployed were on Mondays, and it was not unusual for the total to reach as high a figure as 60, while for the week ending August 16th there was an aggregate of 2V2 men applying for work. Peak Figures. Ou September 20th the record figure of oSO was ou the books of the Labour Department, which employed ;t special officer in charge of its unemployment bureau. About £OOOO was spent by the Citizens' Relief Committee in providing*' work in and about the City, several of the local bodies supplementing the generous donations of citizens, trades unions and other organisations by substantial subsidies. Practically ail occupations were represented in the weekly totals of the workless, which were published, but unskilled labourers wcro in the great majority. One of the most regrettable features was the large number of men with families who were forced to seek relief, and, first by the Trades Hall officials, and later by the Citizens' Committee, depots were opened at which foodstuffs and clothing were obtainable for necessitous cases.

Particularly in the engineering and furniture-making trades, the slump conditions manifested themselves, the building trade escaping lightly through considerable activity in house construction. it was tho usual practice of the Arbitration Court to grant the increase of one penny per hour—the subject of a pronouncement last year—as new awards were tiled. No great movement look place in the cost .of living during the year, but a decrease in rents as the result; or* house-building activity, and in the prices of farm and market garden produce—due to the very favourable season—is anticipated by many people. A Tine Winter. In marked contrast with the winter of 1925, that of 1926 was remarkably fine, outdoor workers losing very little time through rain. A steady stream of immigrants arrived from Briain, and most of them have succeeded in obtaining employment, although a few were included weekly in the number applying for work at the unemployment bureau of the Labour Department. For some reason which is difficult to explain, this City seldom attracts as large a quota of immigrants as do the other centres.

Although' no figures aro available, trades union officials state that membership showed a tendency to increase slightly. The same remark is true of the affiliations to the Trades and Labour Council and Labour Representation Committee. A formula which was submitted to the former as a basis of unity with the Alliance of Labour proved acceptable to most of the delegates on the Council, and the end desired is likely to be attained. Activity is being shown by the Labour Representation Committee in the matter of contesting the various elections which take place in 1927. . The Labour Department experienced a quiet vear, the new Apprenticeship Act absorbing some of its activities.