WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1928, Page 4

WELLINGTON NEWS

COURSE t)F UNEMPLOYMENT.

(Special to “ Guardian.”)

WELLINGTON, June 15

Hitherto there have been no statistics bearing on tlie trend of unemployment in the Dominion throughout the year, but recently the Government Statistician has inaugurated a scheme which remedies the deficiency to a certain extent, and the first instalment of such statistics appears in the ‘‘Monthly Abstract ” for May. The figures do not include proprietors actively engaged, managers, accountants, clerks, overseers and salesmen.

The “Abstract” states; “That the economic structure of the Dominion has for its foundation the agricultural and pastoral industries sounds like a truism. It is, however, worthy of mention here, because the seasonal ebb and flow of employment inherent in tliesp industries has far-reaching effects on employment generally. There arc, perhaps, few branches of employment that do not respond to tho seasonal movement. Of course all seasonal tendencies are not traceable to the primary industries. Certain manufacturing industries, of which tho clothing trade is "a good example, evince periodical fluctuations in employment which have no apparent connection with the seasonal movement in the primary industries.” The outstanding feature of the statistics for 1926, according to the “Abstract,” is the extension of tlie variations in employment in tho group of industries closely allied to agricultural and pastoral pursuits. The industries taken are meat freezing, ham and bacon, butter and cheese, sausage casing, wool scouring and fellmongering, and boiling-down industries. The highest point in this group was reached in February when 10,91' were employed, and the lowest in August when the number had dropped to 5,088, representing a range of 5,859. Thus the figure for the peak month was more than double that for the lowest month. The movement between February and August appears to he fairly rhythmical, swinging upwards in January and February, gradually downwards in May, June and July to August, the slackest month from the view of employment. Early in September the period of recovery commences, gradually at first, but gaining momentum until between November 15 and December 15 no fewer than 2368 additional workers were absorbed into these industries.

There was an average 13,418 Workers engaged during the calendar year 1926 in the other manufacturing industries. The figures recorded for each month from May to August were below the average, the other months being above it. December was the month of greatest activity with workers, July being the lowest, showing a range ol 1413 workers. There was a distinct upward swing in the spring and summer months which was counterbalanced by a downward movement in the winter months. ' The course of employment in the building industry was more irregular than that in the manufacturing industries. There were two periods of marked activity in this industry, one in May and another in September; while in tiie manufacturing industries the slackest month occurred in July.

The Government Statistician tliinks that the following conclusions are to he derived ; (a) Those industries closely allied with the agricultural and pastoral production pass through definite periods of activity and slacken during the calendar year. Activity commences about November, attains its maximum about February and recedes in March, and the slack period is at .its worst about August, (b) The manufacturing and building industries arc apparently subject to seasonal fluctuations in employment, the general characteristics o! which arc activity in the .summer and slackness in the winter, (d) Ihe number of artisans and labourers employed by the Public Works Department increases in tlie winter and decreases in the summer months, hut does not, on the scale ruling'in 1926, substantially alter the general course of employment throughout the year in the industries covered by this discussion. M hat happens to the considerable number of workers who in winter months find themselves out of employment? Either they must earn enough during short periods of activity to last over until the next season or they drift into the other industries.