UNEMPLOYMENT IN NEW ZEALAND. FIRST SECTION OF REPORT OF COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON 17th OCTOBER, 1928, AND 26TH FEBRUARY, 1929.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1929 Session I, H-11b

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1929. NEW ZEALAND.

UNEMPLOYMENT IN NEW ZEALAND. FIRST SECTION OF REPORT OF COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON 17th OCTOBER, 1928, AND 26TH FEBRUARY, 1929.

Laid on the Table by Leave of the House.

MEMBERS OP COMMITTEE. W. B. Hunt (Chairman), T. 0. Bishop, representing employers. James Roberts, Oscar Mcßrine, representing workers. Malcolm Eraser, 0.8. E., E.S.S. (Government Statistician). P. W. Rowley, 1.5.0. (Secretary of Labour). H. D. Thomson (Under-Secretary for Immigration).

REPORT. Wellington, 29th August, 1929. The Hon. the Minister of Labour, Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington. Sir, — We have the honour to present a first section of our report on the question of unemployment in New Zealand, which we have been investigating under your direction. As you were good enough not to tie us down to any order of reference and gave us practically a free hand as to the way in which we should deal with the problem, we think it necessary to commence by stating the nature of our task as we see it. Unemployment has become one of the difficult problems in civilized countries. In the United States, Great Britain, most European countries, and in all the British Dominions it is a prominent political question. Much consideration is being given to it, and various remedies are being prescribed and applied. It is not a new problem in New Zealand; in fact, for many years past we have not been entirely free from it except during the war period. It has been dealt with always in the past in the same way — by the undertaking of public works by the State and by local bodies. Sometimes a public-works programme has been speeded up to enable more men to be employed than would normally be required to finish the work economically within the time desired ; at other times, when the demand for work has been greater, special works have been undertaken, not because there was necessity for them, but with, the sole object of providing employment temporarily for those for whom no other employment offered. At such times also charitable-aid expenditure has always been above normal. The present situation is being met by the Government and by the local bodies in the old way —by a speeding-up of essential public works which would have been carried out more slowly under other circumstances, and by the carrying-out of special works which but for unemployment would not be done. We wish to make it quite clear that we are not concerned with the immediate provision of relief measures, and we find it necessary to say this because it has been asked when our Committee is going to find work for those who are now in need of it. The duty entrusted to us is to study every phase of the problem, and try, first, to find methods of preventing unemployment as far as possible ; and, second, to indicate methods of providing for the unemployed with the minimum of loss to the community. It will be necessary for us to express an opinion as to the merits and demerits of the past and present methods of relieving unemployment, and to that end we are now collecting information which has not been available hitherto. The immediate cause of unemployment in New Zealand or elsewhere is the failure of the consumption of certain goods to keep pace with the production, or the failure of the demand for certain services to equal the supply. The underlying cause of this failure may be the high cost of the goods or services, or it may be one of several other things which we shall discuss later on, The conditions of trade which

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give rise to unemployment arise from no one simple cause, nor is there any one simple remedy. The problem is an exceedingly complex one, involving the life and activities of the people in many ways. Conditions of life are constantly changing ; the luxuries of yesterday are the necessities of to-day, and the necessities of to-day may be obsolete to-morrow. Methods of trade and business have to be changed to meet changing conditions. There is a continuous demand for better standards of living for the mass of the people, and the satisfaction of this demand is possible only if all who are able to work are usefully employed and earning wages of high purchasing-power. The purchasing-power of earnings depends upon the price of the goods and services which go to make up the standard of living. High money wages do not mean a high standard of living if prices are disproportionately high. There are therefore two strongly opposing forces always in operation : on the one hand a continuous demand by all workers for higher money wages (and by " workers " we mean workers of any kind—not only those who belong to trade-unions) : on the other hand a continuous demand by all workers, when converting their earnings into the goods and services they require, to obtain those goods and services at the lowest possible money prices. There is thus a constant pressure upon all who supply goods or services to find methods of reducing their costs, and so upon every worker the two opposing forces operate —the desire to obtain more money for his work, and the need to reduce the cost of what he is helping to produce. The pressure of these opposing forces tends to produce industrial troubles, economic bad times, and unemployment as surely as the pressure on opposite sides of a geological fault produces earthquakes. The demands of modern life in countries enjoying advanced civilization cause all such countries to be more or less interdependent. New Zealand is a small country with a comparatively high standard of living. We produce a very large surplus of certain goods, and we are remarkably deficient in the production of other goods—for example, base metals and heavier manufactures. Consequently our external trade is per capita the highest in the world, and we are proportionately less independent of other countries than almost any other people. We cannot live entirely within our own boundaries ; we depend on the requirements of other countries to absorb our surplus production, and upon their production to supply many of our requirements. We are able to market our surplus production only so long as we are able to produce at costs not higher than those of other countries producing and exporting similar goods to our own, and the cost factor controls also the production of goods for our own internal consumption, since at the present time the market for these goods depends very largely upon the purchasing-power of the return received from our exports. New Zealand may be considered as a commercial undertaking engaged in the business of producing, preparing for market, exporting and marketing abroad certain products of the soil —viz., wool, meat, butter, cheese, flax, &c. The business has steadily increased in volume for the last forty years, and on the whole it has been highly profitable. Further, although prices at present tend to fall somewhat, there is no reasonable doubt as to our ability to find sale for a still further increased production provided that our costs are not too high. The cost of producing and delivering our product in the market is the all-important factor, for two reasons : first, we have to meet our competitors in the matter of price ; and, second, apart from meeting competitive prices it is necessary to study the purchasing-power of our customers. The British public, our principal customers, will continue to buy butter and will increase their consumption of butter while it is cheap enough to be within their means, but they will decrease their consumption or cease to buy if the price is more than they can afford. Cost is therefore the all-important factor in our national business, just as it is in private business. Considered still as a commercial undertaking, in addition to her principal business of producing and selling the articles above mentioned, with all the necessary transport facilities, New Zealand has to provide her people who are engaged in her principal business with certain goods and services that they require—as, for instance, houses to live in, clothes to wear, newspapers to read, and all the many things which make up the daily needs of a community. This provides employment for a large number of other people, a number, in fact, not far short of those engaged directly or indirectly in the main business of producing for export. It is important to note that the number of people employed in production, preparation, transportation, and marketing of exportable goods is capable of being increased subject only to the allimportant condition that the cost of production is low enough to be within the price obtainable. In other words, we can sell more of such goods at a price ; and to produce more we can employ more people. The employment of more people in production of exports creates a demand for more goods and services for their consumption, and so enables us to employ more people in other branches of our national business also. Now, if our population embraced just enough people of each class to maintain the production of exportable goods and provide the goods and services required for our own use we should have work for everybody ; but, unfortunately, that never has been wholly attainable. Even if such a state were once attained, the balance could not be kept, for several reasons, which at the moment need not be discussed at length. One of the most obvious is, of course, the flow of population from other countries which would be attracted by the tale of our good fortune. It is sometimes made to appear from the public utterances of representatives of the primary producers, and from their published statements, that they regard all population not engaged in that branch of our national trade either directly or indirectly as a surplus or unnecessary population, because the supply of most of the manufactured goods required by the community could be imported from other countries as cheaply or more cheaply than they can be made in New Zealand. This is, of course, a fallacy. A surplus population over and above the numbers engaged in primary production is unavoidable ; and, moreover, the surplus is an asset to the State so long as useful employment is offering ; failing that it becomes a liability. It is essenlial, therefore, that the employment involved in providing the goods and services required for our internal use be given to our own people who are not required in the production of export goods, rather than to the people of other countries, but subject always to the condition that the cost of the goods for home consumption or of the services is not unduly high.

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It is clear that the cost of goods for our own consumption and of all social services must affect the cost of primary production, but it is difficult to gauge the real cost of such goods and services to the community. It is contended that the interests of the country as a whole require wheat to be grown, and at the same time the growers of wheat say they cannot produce at the world's parity prices, and they have secured a protective duty on wheat. We do not propose to discuss the merits or demerits of the wheat duty, since that is now to be investigated by another body, but we mention it to illustrate the difficulty of determining the real cost of goods produced for our own use. The cost of our own wheat is higher than that of imported wheat, but it may be worth while paying the extra cost for the sake of preserving the wheat industry. In the same way it may be worth while to pay a higher price for certain articles manufactured locally than we might pay for. similar articles imported, if to import them means creating unemployment of our own people. Again, many services are provided by the State and by local authorities and are paid for by the users directly or by the taxpayers indirectly. It is difficult to gauge the real cost of these to the community, or to say whether we are paying too dearly for any particular one, since there is in many cases 110 standard with which to compare it. It can be stated as a definite rule that the cost of all our locally made goods and of all our social services must be kept as low as possible (by " cost" we mean everything that enters into the cost of the goods or services) ; that methods of manufacture, including use of labour, must be efficient. But it is difficult to set standards of cost or of efficiency. The standards of other countries alone are not safe guides, but they are of use when considered in conjunction with the need for providing employment for our own people. There is, however, this plain fact to be borne in mind, that the prosperity of New Zealand depends upon the margin between the selling-price of our exported products and their cost of production, preparation, and delivery. That margin is our national trading profit from which must come the capital for the bringing-in of more land, the expansion of our industries, and the establishment of new ones. From the foregoing discussion certain conclusions are to be drawn, and may be stated as simple rules for our guidance : — (1) Our principal business is the production of exportable farm-products. It is a profitable business, and capable of steady expansion in volume, though prices tend to be lower in the future than in the last few years. (2) It follows that in primary production and incidental industries we should engage the largest possible proportion of our population and of our capital. (3) There will always be a proportion of the population and of capital which cannot be employed in primary production but which can be usefully employed in other industries. (4) The costs in both primary production and other industries must be kept low enough to permit of the expansion of our export trade. (5) Cost of local government and State services are just as much a factor in our costs of primary production as the costs involved in privately owned industries, and should be as carefully controlled. (6) Changes in industrial method and other causes will lead to the unemployment of groups of workers from time to time, and for their relief some provision must be made. The nature of that relief we will discuss later. At this point, however, we wish to emphasize three points in connection with the relief of temporary unemployment : First, any relief work provided should be useful and productive work, otherwise it is a waste of capital and of labour ; second, care is needed to avoid providing permanent relief work for inefficient labour ; third, the cost of necessary relief work must be spread as evenly as possible over the whole community. If it be made a tax upon industry or sections of industry it may have a boomerang effect and increase rather than diminish our problem. The immediate unemployment is not our first concern, but it is none the less necessary for us to present a true picture of the present situation before developing our report further. It has taken almost the whole of the time since out appointment to collect the information needed to enable some of the following classifications to be made. (Note. —Mr. Roberts here makes the reservation that while the foregoing contains many statements with which he is in agreement, it also contains suggestions and statements to which he cannot subscribe. In view of the seriousness of the unemployment problem, however, it is not his intention to submit a minority report, as he considers it most desirable that the reports of the Committee, particularly as to suggestions for overcoming unemployment, should be unanimous.) In considering the magnitude of the unemployment problem the Committee have examined the available statistics on the subject, and are of opinion that- the registrations with the Labour Department employment bureaux (together with those on relief works) are the best available indication of the Government unemployment problem. Facilities for registration in the smaller towns and country districts have been provided at all post-offices throughout the country, and any not registering are evidently not seeking Government assistance in the matter. Applications at the Labour Department bureaux must be renewed every fortnight or otherwise they are struck off, and the numbers on the register each week may therefore be taken as representing the extent of unemployment from week to week. The Committee attach a series of tables and graphs covering their investigations in the matter. In the figures of unemployment given the Committee have dealt only, as stated, with those on the Unemployed Registers. It is well known that the employment offered by the Labour Department is mainly of an unskilled character, and that skilled tradesmen are not in the habit of registering when seeking new jobs. Whatever number of unemployed there are unregistered the Committee are not in a position to deal with them, and the following statement is confined entirely to those on labour bureaux registers. The Committee would also emphasize that the classifications as to periods of unemployment, dependency, &c., shown, except where otherwise stated, are based on the particulars given by applicants themselves when registering.

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Figures showing the numbers 011 the Unemployment Register each week from April, 1921, to July, 1929, are given in the attached Table I, and in order to more readily follow the movement and compare the extent of unemployment at corresponding periods each year the figures by calendar years have also been plotted 011 Graph A. Figures showing the number of men on public works (including special relief works) under control of the Public Works Department are available for each week from April, 1921, to March, 1929— practically the same period as covered ill Table I for unemployed registrations. Although these do not include workers employed on relief works under control of the Forestry Department and local authorities, they are instructive in connection with the present study. The figures are given in Table U and illustrated 011 Graph B. The weekly average on the unemployed register each year (Table 1) is informative as to the growth of the problem, and also when compared with the numbers on public works (Table II). The figures .are as follows : — v _ Weekly Average on Weekly Average on ear ' Unemployed Register. Public Works. 1921 (9 months) .. .. .. ..1,097 4,878 1922 .. .. .. .. .. 1,237 5,878 1923 .. .. .. .. .. 599 5,827 1924 .. .. .. .. .. 437 6,494 1925 .. .. .. .. ..426 7,689 1926 .. .. .. .. .. 1,196 9,675 1927 .. .. .. .. .. 1,982 11,033 1928 .. .. .. .. .. 2,504 11,622 1929 .. .. .. .. .. 2,975 (to July) 13,819 (to March). It will be seen that the position, after recovering somewhat from the 1920-21 slump, became suddenly and rapidly worse during 1926. From that point in 1926 the numbers on the Unemployed Register have increased with fluctuations each year, despite the greater numbers absorbed on public works. In February, 1928, registration could be effected at any post-office throughout the Dominion, and the greater facilities so afforded may have been a factor in the increased registrations thereafter as compared with previous years. In a comparative study of the two graphs, A and B (when the difference in scale employed should be noted), one is immediately struck by the outstanding fact that the rapid growth of the unemployed registrations in 1926, 1927, 1928, and 1929 is coincident with and accompanied by a much larger and similarly rapid growth in the numbers engaged 011 public works. In 1929, with a record number employed on public works, the unemployed registrations have reached the highest points yet attained. Another factor which is immediately evident from either or both Graphs A and B is that the unemployment problem is greatly affected by seasonal fluctuations. The Committee are elsewhere dealing specially with this aspect of the problem, and making certain suggestions for mitigating the unemployment arising therefrom. Here the Committee merely desire to present some facts as to the extent and incidence of seasonal fluctuations in employment in New Zealand. Seasonal fluctuations are best studied from the side of employment. For each of the years 1926 and 1927 statistics as to the numbers engaged each, month in the factory and building industries of the Dominion have been tabulated by the Census and Statistics Office ; these are given in Tables 111, IV, V, and VI, while an explanatory note (Paper VII) sets out the scope of the data, the treatment of the figures, and a list of the industries covered. The statistics are illustrated by Graphs C and I). Graph C shows a definitely rhythmical movement in employment in the manufacturing and building industries. A recession sets in about March, reaches its nadir somewhere about July, then gives way to a period of increased activity which swings fairly evenly up to its zenith in February, and is in its turn followed by another ebb. Employment in the Public Works Department, so far as it can be judged from the figures for the two years 1926 and 1927, shows a movement which corresponds inversely to that for the manufacturing and building industries. It swings downwards in the summer months and upwards in the winter. The level of employment in the Public Works Department was much higher in 1927 than in 1926. The combination of these two curves shows that employment on the public works does not affect to any great extent the oscillations in employment in the two other industries. Graph D shows the course of employment in the semi-primary industries, the other manufacturing industries, and the building industry. Its outstanding features are (a) the wide swing from the period of activity in the summer months to the slack period in the winter months, for the semiprimary industries, and (b) the relative smoothness of the curve for the other manufacturing industries. The Committee next considered the composition of the unemployed in order to obtain some understanding of the nature and extent of the unemployment prevailing. An analysis of those on the Unemployed Registers has been compiled monthly by the Census and Statistics Office since June, 1928. Tables VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, and XIII give an analysis of the numbers on the Unemployed Registers for the latest date available—Bth July, 1929 —at time of writing. These tables are informative, and may be very briefly summarized here. There were in all 3,896 men on the Unemployment Registers of the Labour Department on the Bth July, 1929. Of this number 2,454, or 63 per cent, of the total, were classified as labourers. Other occupations in which the number exceeded fifty in numerical order are : Farm hands, 173 ; drivers, 157; carpenters and joiners, 119; hotel workers and cooks, 94; clerical workers, 66; painters and glaziers, 59 ; storemen and. packers, 58 ; and gardeners, 51. There were 1,709 single and 2,104 married men 011 the registers, and 83 unspecified. Of this total, 1,466 men had no dependants ; 558, one dependant; 637, two ; 511, three ; 326, four ; and 315, five

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dependants or over. During the six months immediately preceding registration 1,134 men had been unemployed for under six weeks, while 2,679 had been out of work for six weeks or over. Of the latter, 218.had five dependants or over. The age-distribution was : Under 25 years of age, 868 ; 25-44 years, 1,810 ; 45-64 years, 1,078 ; and 65 years and over, 57. The classification according to birthplace shows that 2,289 men were born in New Zealand, while 1,524 were born outside New Zealand. Of the latter 73 had been less than twelve months resident in New Zealand, while 1,394 were of two years' residence or over. There were 415 men fitted for light work only, as compared with 3,398 who registered as fitted for heavy work. Classifying the men according to the period on the register, it that 2,477 had been registered for less than three months, 797 for three months but under twelve months, and 539 for twelve months and over. In this connection it is to be noted that applicants desiring to be considered for employment .are required to renew their applications fortnightly, and those not doing so are struck ofl the register. For the classification in this table applicants off the register for over three months are treated as new registrations on next application ; persons (whether or not they were temporarily or intermittently employed) renewing their applications at shorter intervals than three months are regarded as continuously on the register. Graphs E and F have been prepared to show the analysis of the unemployed each month since June, 1928, and from these the variations that have taken place each month can be followed. In view of the large number (2,679 out of 3,896, or 68-76 per cent, of the total on the register) who had been unemployed for six weeks and over, the Committee had specially compiled Table XIV, giving a classification according to the duration of unemployment during the six months immediately preceding registration, conjugal condition, and age. From this it is seen that a large number—49l, or 13 per cent, of the total classified —had been out of work for twenty-four weeks and over. On the other hand, 823, or 22 per cent., had lost only four weeks or less in the six months. The average unemployment per man during the six months works out at eleven weeks. Taking the single and married men separately, the incidence of unemployment seems to have fallen evenly, the average being also eleven weeks in each case. Taking age into consideration, however, it is seen that in the case of married men 756, or 37 per cent., of the total married men were 45 years of age or over, while in the case of single men only 357, or 20 per cent., were over 45 years of age. The greater mobility of the single man is no doubt helpful in the search for work. The average unemployment for each agegroup is informative as indicating the handicap of increasing years ; the figures are —under 25 years, 10 weeks ; 25 to 44 years, 10 weeks.; 45 to 64 years, 13 weeks ; 65 years and over, 15 weeks. It is noted also that a greater proportion of the men over 45 years of age had been out of employment for twenty-four weeks and over tha,n of men under 45 years of age ; the percentages being—under 45 years, 11 per cent.; over 45 years, 18 per cent. The Committee recognize that those on relief works are also part of the unemployed, but unfortunately statistics of their composition are available in regard to them only for July, 1928. Those on relief works at that date are analysed in Tables XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, and XIX. The total number on relief works at that time was 3,922, but owing to some being engaged on remote works full data was obtained in respect of only 2,749. Of the 2,749 men dealt with in the classifications, 2,148, or 78 per cent., described themselves as labourers ; there being a marked drop to the next highest groups, which were—Drivers, 103 ; farm hands, 64 ; hotel workers, 38 ; carpenters,. 36 ; and clerical workers, 35. The remainder were scattered over a wide range of occupations. There were 1,123 single and 1,626 married men in the cases dealt with. A total of 854, or 76 per cent., of the single men had no dependants at all, while of the married men, 287 had one dependant; 412, two dependants ; 360, three dependants ; 233, four dependants ; and 285, five dependants or over. The age-distribution table shows that 497 of the men were under 25 years of age ; 1,349 were between the ages of 25 and 44 years ; 875 between 45 and 64 years ; and 28 aged 65 years or over. Practically all the men were fit for heavy work, only 106 of the 2,749 being fit for light work only. The classification according to the period on register reveals the fact that 1,722 men have been on the register for under three months, 951 for three months or under twelve months, and 76 for twelve months or over. The period on register includes the time they have been on relief works. Of the 2,749 men 1,609 were New-Zealand-born. Very few relief workers were recent arrivals, only 55 of the total being of under twelve months' residence in the country. The total number of recorded cases of unemployment on the 9th July, 1928 (counting relief workers as unemployed) was 7,075. Of this number particulars as to unemployment were available for 5,846, and it is noted that of these only 131 had been on the register for a period of twelve months or over (76 being relief workers and 55 unplaced). The number of relief workers in the class " twelve months or over " represents only 3 per cent, of the total number on such works. The analysis of those on relief works is shown on Graph C for comparison with Graphs E and F. In considering the various factors disclosed by the analysis given in the tables, the Committee were concerned at the numbers on the Unemployed Registers who were still under twenty-five years of age, and arranged for a special investigation to be made for these in regard to their schooling, employment since leaving school, &c. This inquiry was made in regard to all persons under 25 years of age applying for registration during the two weeks ended 26th July, 1929, the total number of cases being 492. The results of the inquiry may be summarized as follows : — The total number of cases under 25 years of age investigated was 492 ; of these 85 received post-primary education, or 17-3 per cent, of the total. Of the 85 receiving post-primary schooling 47 attended non-technical secondary schools. 4

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The duration of attendance at secondary or technical school was given as : Under one year, 4 ; one year but under two years, 39 ; two years and over, 42. It is noteworthy that 81 of the 85 who had post-primary education were attending.technical or non-technical secondary schools for a period exceeding one year, and the majority of these men have therefore had quite a good grounding in post-primary school work. The total duration of unemployment during previous twelve months was : All applicants under 25 years of age, 5-0 months ; those who attended primary school only, 5-1 months; those who have had post-primary schooling, 5-0 months. Contrary to what would be expected on the face of it, those who have had higher education do not show any superior alertness in finding new jobs ; the average period unemployed during the past twelve months being practically the same in both cases. Physical disabilities mitigating against employment were serious in 3 cases ; semi-serious in 11 cases ; not a serious handicap in 3 cases ; and 4 cases were reported as simple-minded. It is obvious that this factor of physical disability is negligible. The birthplace and length of residence in New Zealand were stated as: New-Zealand-born, 360 ; birthplace not stated, 2 ; born elsewhere, 130 (under six months' residence, 10 ; six to twelve months' residence, 7 ; one to two years' residence, 7; two years' or over residence, 101 ; length of residence not stated, 5) : total, 492. The total number of New-Zealand-born registered unemployed (360) represents 0-36 per cent, of the total male population born in New Zealand of the ages 15 to 24 (both inclusive), while the total registered unemployed born elsewhere (130) is 0-29 per cent, of the total foreign-born male population 15 to 24 years of age. The incidence of unemployment in the younger age-groups would thus appear to fall more heavily on those born in New Zealand than on those born outside New Zealand. Of the 85 who received technical or non-technical secondary education 56 were New-Zealand-born and 29 born outside New Zealand. Thus of the total New-Zealand-born (360) 16 per cent, received post-primary schooling, while of those born outside New Zealand (130) 22 per cent, attended postprimary schools either in New Zealand or outside. The present occupation and occupation followed after leaving school are shown in Table XX. Out of a total of 492 men covered by this investigation, 225 were unskilled labourers, representing 46 per cent, of the total. There were 55 farm hands, 35 motor-drivers, 16 shop-assistants, 11 clerks, 11_ seamen, and 11 grocers included among the remainder. A classification has been made showing the present occupation in conj unction with that followed immediately after leaving school. This shows that the great majority of the men are still following the same type of occupation as they first started on, 369 being so classified, while 123 changed their occupations —in many cases, it would appear, to their own disadvantage, since 34 one-time apprentices have drifted into labouring jobs, while 11 youths who began as clerks or shop-assistants have now registered as labourers. Also, 14 who started as message-boys and 16 as factory hands are now labouring. Of the 150 youths who commenced in labouring work, 94 are still labourers, while 13 have become motor-drivers ; 10, seamen ; 6, hotel workers ; and 5, farm hands. Although only 5 who started as general labourers are now farm hands, 50 who started as farm hands have drifted into other labouring jobs. Of the remaining 51 youths who started as farm hands 41 are still engaged in that type of work : 5 are motor-drivers ; 3 have become gardeners ; 1 a traction-engine driver ; and 1 a cheesemaker. In all 120 boys were apprenticed to trades upon leaving school. Of these 64 are still following the trades for which they were first apprenticed, while 56 are not so engaged. Applicants were asked to state the reason why they did not continue in the employment for which they were originally trained. In 39 cases of the 123 cases no definite reply was given. Of the remaining 84 men, 20 attribute their change of occupation to slackness of trade ; 13 sought higher wages elsewhere ; 12 were compelled to give up their original occupations for health reasons ; while in 10 cases the employers went out of business, compelling them to seek other avenues of employment : 5 were discharged when due for higher wages, while 5 immigrants could not obtain places in New Zealand at their trades. A classification has been made showing the reasons for the present unemployment of the men. Where possible the Inspector of Factories has verified the applicant's statement by reference to his previous employer. Slackness of trade is given as the reason for unemployment in 190 cases, and in 34 cases the seasonal nature of their occupations is stated to be the cause. Some 14 immigrants have not yet found regular jobs since arrival in this country, while 12 men are unemployed through their employers going opt of business. In 20 cases health reasons are given as the cause of unemployment, while 16 men were discharged as unsatisfactory by their last employers, 13 left following a disagreement, 10 were dissatisfied with their wages, and 13 did not like farm or country work. The Committee further considered that an investigation to ascertain the cause of the unemployment, and the qualifications, &c., of those on the register for over twelve months would be advantageous, and this is now being undertaken. Another factor which has affected the employment problem has been the development of the status of women in the community and their entry into occupations previously staffed almost exclusively by men. In the last thirty years the number of women in industry has shown an almost continuous expansion, recording an increase between 1896 and 1926 of over 130 per cent. Each census evidenced

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considerably larger numbers, particularly between 1916 and 1921, but with a slight retrogression between 1921 and 1926. i\j 1 Proportion, Census. - unuers Females to Males. engaged. Per 1896 .. .. .. .. .. 53,070 23-8 1901 .. .. .. .. .. 65,671 25-2 1906 .. .. .. .. .. 75,244 24-5 1911 .. .. .. .. .. 90,253 25-8 1916 .. .. .. .. .. 100,209 28-9 1921 .. .. .. .. .. 126,405 31-1 1926 .. .. .. .. .. 122,772 28-0 At the 1926 census there were some 140,000 unmarried women between the ages of 16 and 55 (assumed as covering the extreme working period) and of these 83,000 (60 per cent.) were breadwinners. A further 15,000 were widows, divorcees, and legally separated wives. The absorption of women has proceeded at a somewhat greater rate than that of men, with a period of accentuation due to circumstances arising out of the war. Ha.d the proportion of women workers to men been the same in 1926 as in 1896 there would have been over 18,000 fewer women in industry. The infiltration of female labour has not proceeded uniformly in the divergent fields of industry. Tndmtrv Oronn Numbers engaged, Percentage Increase industry woup. 192{ ._ sinee Primary production .. .. .. .. .. 3,526 13 Industrial .. .. .. .. .. ..20,616 54 Transport and communication .. .. .. .. 2,283 603 Commerce and finance .. .. .. .. .. 19,493 411 Public administration and professional .. .. .. 23,948 239 Domestic .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 36,416 59 Total including other groups .. .. .. 122,772 131 Dependants (all ages) .. .. .. .. .. 528,273 90 Between 1906 and 1911 development of dairying caused considerable accretion to the ranks of female farm-workers. Maintained by war causes and the post-war dairying boom up to 1921, they showed a sudden drop in 1926, for which the slump, introduction of milking-machines, &c., emergence of farms from more primitive and less prosperous stages, &c., are given as notable among many contributary causes. In the industrial group, which covers factories, &c., women workers have been stationary in numbers since 1911. Figures examined in more detail suggest that in spite of the establishment or development of industries employing women, the extension of labour-saving machinery, large-scale production, &c., has been sufficient to keep numbers from increasing. Transport and communication is a small group —for females —and is largely dominated by employees of the Post and Telegraph Department. The most considerable expansion has taken place in the commercial, Governmental, and professional groups. Mechanical appliances again come into importance : there were, for instance, 18 women typists in 1896, and 6,486 in 1926. Lower wage-scales, increasing keenness of competition, &c., are operative. The comparatively low ratio of growth of the domestic group, of which the domestic servant is the principal element, is usually ascribed to the less attractive conditions of remuneration, living, &c., and the diminished social status. The accompanying data shows the general position fairly clearly : —

Apart from the various economic causes directly affecting the entry of women into industry, such as the desire for financial independence, careers, inability of parents to maintain, &c., the gradual rise of the marriage age has its effect. The mean age of brides is now twelve months greater than in 1896, with the result that some thousands annually remain at work a year longer than they otherwise would.

Proportion per Cent, of Females to Males. Industry Group. ; 1026. J 1011. 1896. Primary production . . . . .. . . . . 2-5 5-8 3-0 Industrial .. .. .. .. .. .. 36-2 21-5 25-9 Transport and communication .. .. .. .. 4-0 3-4 2-0 Commerce and finance .. .. .. . . . . 30-3 23-5 12-6 Public administration and professional .. .. . 69-8 68-9 63-8 Domestic 450-5 373-8 390-0 Total (including other groups) .. .. .. 28-0 25-8 23-8

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Also, assuming marriageable ages as, roughly, 20-34 years for women and 20-39 years for men, the proportion of the never-married former to the latter was under 63 per cent, in 1896, and 67 per cent, in 1926, indicating diminished probabilities of marriage and consequent non-withdrawal from industry. This would be even more marked a few years ago during the period of greatest effect of the war upon the male age-constitution. From the foregoing it follows that in New Zealand unemployment may be classified as follows : — (1) Seasonal unemployment in the primary industries —butter and cheese making, shearing, meat-freezing, harvesting. (2) Unemployment in other industries because of the seasonal nature of the primary industries —as, for instance, in connection with the transport and shipment of butter and cheese, wool, and meat. (3) Unemployment arising out of the permanent replacement of manual labour by the use of improved methods and machinery —as, for instance, the use of tractors and other improved appliances for the loading and unloading of ships and cargo handling on wharves, the use of steam shovels and other plant in roadmaking, and the use of more effective machines generally in connection with manufacturing. (4) Unemployment arising from the substitution of new materials —as, for instance, the use of oil in place of coal as ships' fuel, the use of electric power in place of steam, and the use of brick, concrete, and steel in place of timber in buildings. (5) Periodic general unemployment arising from general depression of trade, as occurred particularly in 1921-22 and again in 1926-27. (6) Unemployment arising from incapacity or from improper training. (1) Seasonal Unemployment. It is obvious that the work of butter and cheese making, harvesting, shearing, and meat-freezing will always be seasonal, and that for a portion of each year the workers who regularly supply the demand for labour in these industries must seek other employment or be unemployed. The seasons for butter and cheese making and for meat-freezing overlap and transference of workers between these two occupations is not possible. Workers may, however, pass from shearing to meat-freezing and harvesting and so secure a longer period of country work then if they did not follow both occupations. In relation to all workers in these industries there remains the striking and unalterable condition that their occupations cease to .exist for a definite period each year. There is a very important difference which should be noted between the regular and periodic unemployment of these workers alternating with regular and periodic employment at standard wages and the unemployment arising from changes of method, the use of machinery, and similar causes. Obviously the latter is the more serious. (2) Unemployment in other Industries because of the Seasonal Nature of the Primary Industries. The production in the primary industries being seasonal, it follows that the work of transporting the products of those industries must be seasonal also, and hence we have an intensely busy season in connection with road, rail, and coastal sea transport, and also in connection with waterside work and overseas shipping. The busy season is followed by a period of comparative rest and partial unemployment, during which the workers regularly engaged in transport and waterside work must be wholly or partially unemployed. Coal-mining is also a seasonal industry in some districts, but this industry provides its own relief work, the men who are fully employed in the busy season remaining in employment throughout the slack season but reducing the number of days worked per fortnight. (3) and (4) Unemployment arising out of the Permanent Replacement of Manual Labour by the Introduction of Improved Methods and Machines and by the Substitution of New Materials. In countries where manufacturing forms a larger part of industry than it does in New Zealand this is a factor of very great importance, and is probably the most potent of all causes of unemployment. For instance, Mr. J. J. Davis, Secretary of the United States Department of Labour, in a recent article says : — "In the past seven years productivity has increased about 40 per cent. If our productivity had remained what it was even in 1919 the country would need 140 men to do the work formerly done by 100. The growth of our population in number and consuming-power woidd have brought this about. But even with the ten million more consumers we now have, our factories are supplying the nation's needs with 7 per cent, fewer workers." He continues as follows :— " There is no need yet for alarm, but at the same time we must ask ourselves, is automatic machinery driven by limitless power going to leave' on our hands a state of chronic and increasing unemployment ? Is prosperity going to double back on itself and bring us social distress ? It is manifest that in the promulgation of rationalization it must go on, for we cannot in any way set limits to or retard progress ; we must consider the effect on the individual, and find some means of rationalizing his services, otherwise the world will be the poorer as the result."

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The effect of the introduction of new methods and machinery upon employment is not so great in New Zealand as in countries such as the United States, but there is even in New Zealand a serious effect considered in proportion to our population, both in the primary industries and in the secondary industries. The Committee are convinced that unemployment is a continuing problem inevitably bound up in the development and progress of our western civilization, and that some permanent organization is required to watch developments and assist in absorbing elsewhere those temporarily displaced by new discoveries, advanced knowledge, improved mechanical and other processes, and more efficient organization in industry. The Committee thought it well, therefore, to investigate how far production in New Zealand was affected in this way in recent years. Dealing first with New Zealand's mainstay, the agricultural and pastoral industry, it is found that during the four years between 1923-24 and 1927-28 there has been an increase in the volume of production per acre occupied of 24'13 per cent., but the production per person employed increased by 29'69 per cent., while the number of persons per 1,000 acres occupied has decreased by 4'20 per cent. The agricultural and pastoral statistics cover only occupied areas outside borough boundaries of 1 acre and over not being merely residential; thus the area covered may be reduced by the extension of municipal boundaries, the cutting up into smaller areas than 1 acre or into small areas to be used for residential purposes only, land taken for roads, railways, &c., or by reversion to the Crown. Thus during the four years dealt with the area occupied decreased by 117,110 acres, yet the production, taking 1927-28 at the same values as in 1923-24 to eliminate the price factor, increased from £55,053,486 to £68,172,927. During the same period the number of persons engaged (occupiers, members of occupiers' families engaged in farm-work, and employees, but excluding temporary seasonal workers such as shearers, harvesters, &c.) decreased from 145,158 in 1923-24 to 138,609 in 1928-29, which gives the following interesting comparisons : — Production Production per Persons engaged per Acre. Person engaged. per 1,000 Acres. 1923-24 .. .. .. .. £1-264 £379-25 333 1927-28 .. .. .. .. £1-569 £49184 3*19 Increase. Increase. Decrease. Difference .. .. .. .. 24*13% 29"60% . 4'20% Thus to secure the same result as was obtained by 100 persons engaged in primary production in 1927-28 would require 130 persons in 1923-24. It is recognized that the figures available as to persons engaged shown in the agricultural and pastoral statistics for the period covered above were subject to some fluctuation owing to varying interpretation in those years by the collectors as to the inclusion of members of occupiers' families engaged in the farm-work. In order, therefore, to minimize any exaggeration of the decrease which may have taken place the number of employees for 1928-29 has been used in the computations, which figures the Committee are assured are more strictly comparable with those for 1923-24. The matter can, however, be approached from another angle, which it will be seen confirms the indications shown by the above figures. New Zealand's agricultural and pastoral products, mainly foodstuffs, form 95 per cent, of our total exports. Exports represent our surplus production after allowing for local consumption. During the five years 1923 to 1928 the total annual exports increased from £45,371,908 to £54,660,365 ; the total population increased by 124,000, or 9| per cent.; the rural population by 14,477, or 2-26 per cent. Between the census of 1921 and 1926 the number of persons engaged in primary production fell from 151,936 to 142,076, a decrease of 6| per cent., while the proportion of primary producers to total breadwinners fell from 28-52 per cent, to 25-30 per cent. Thus during the five years 1923 to 1928, despite an increase of 9|- per cent, in the total population, representing a correspondingly increased local consumption, and with only a 2-26 per cent, increase in the rural population, but an actual decrease in the proportion engaged as primary producers, there was an increase of over £9,000,000 in the recorded value of surplus production exported, representing 16-8 per cent, greater volume or quantity. It is also well recognized generally that farmers and farm-workers have larger than average families, and that the town population is annually swollen by a considerable surplus of the natural increase in rural districts which, the farming industry is not itself apparently able to absorb or make provision for, and so they come into the towns seeking entry into other occupations. Birth statistics for occupation of father in conjunction with number of previous issue were compiled in 1917 and in 1925 Average Number of Issue. 1925. 1917. Agricultural and pastoral occupation .. .. .. 3-22 3-47 All other occupations .. .. .. .. .. 2-85 3-11 Difference in favourjof agricultural and pastoral .. .. 0-37 0-36 Farmers therefore average roughly one-third child more to the family than " all other occupations."

2—H. 118.

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This receives confirmation from the 1926 census dependency figures. Calculations are for those married men and widowers with children (as for previous figures), but children under sixteen years alone are covered. Average of Children. Agricultural and pastoral occupations .. .. . . . . .. 2-66 All other occupations .. .. .. .. .. .. 2-34 Difference in. favour of agricultural and pastoral .. . . . . 0-32 In 1926 there were 63,000 married or widowed men in the farming group. This of course includes married or widowed men without families ; but allowing that these would be offset by the widows, legally separated, and divorcees, &c., not included, one-third child fewer in the family would mean 21,000 children fewer. At present about 7,000 children are born annually whose fathers follow farming pursuits ; of these about 3,600 are males, of whom 3,000 will reach adulthood, while it is computed that the annual death-roll of the 63,000 married men and widowers actively engaged in agricultural and pastoral occupations would not exceed 500 per year— this, of course, does not allow for those retiring or leaving the industry. The factory-production statistics also show that the factories of the Dominion are increasing production, per person employed, mainly due to the increased use of motive power and improved machinery. The following table compiled from the statistics illustrates the point under consideration, and the wholesale-price index number used to smooth out the effects of price-fluctuations in the value of products has been based on commodities manufactured or treated in the industries covered by the statistics of factory production :—

New Zealand Factory Production: Indices for Persons engaged and Production, &c.

Here it is seen that an increase of 14-7 per cent, in the value created in the factories, mills, works, &c., in the Dominion has been effected during the last five years ; that the population in the four years has gained by 8-2 per cent. ; that the number of persons engaged has advanced by 5'3 per cent.; and that the machinery, as indicated by the horse-power of motors and engines in use, has increased by 66-2 per cent. Although the relative value of production has, during the last five years, shown a greater increase than the population, this increase has been accompanied by a relatively lower increase in the number of persons engaged, and a relatively exceptional increase in machinery. The point is further emphasized in the following table :—

New Zealand Factory Production —Per Capita Indices.

The value of production per capita of population has increased by 6 per cent, since 1924, whereas the same figure per person engaged shows a gain of 9 per cent., notwithstanding that there were relatively more female workers in 1928 than in 1924. It is generally recognized that women and girls

Value of Production : Difference between Cost of Materials and Value of Products. Year ended Mean Persons Horse-power 31st March, Population. engaged. of Engines. Wholesale- Net T ross. price Index, (nearest 000). 1924 .. .. 1,000 1,000 1,000 £1,000 1,000 1,000 1925 .. .. 1,019 1,034 1,149 £1,066 1,025 1,040 1926 .. .. 1,044 1,056 1,432 £1,087 979 ! 1,110 1927 .. .. 1,065 1,055 1,629 £1,094 927 1,181 1928 .. .. 1,082 1,053 1,662 £1,082 943 ! 1,147

Per Person engaged. TT -<lt , , Value oi JSIumber oi , ,. Year ended 31st March, Females locuc ion per Value of ,» ,. per 100 Males. „ e£ i .? n , . Motive Power. ' Population. Production. ' 1924 .. .. .. .. 1,000 1,000* 1,000 1,000 1925 .. .. .. .. 1,005 1,111 955 1,020 1926 .. .. .. .. 1,051 1,356 1,000 1,064 1927 .. .. .. .. 1,119 1,545 1,000 1,108 1928 .. .. .. .. 1,090 1,579 1,091 1,060

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do not have such a high productive output as men and boys. But the worker in 1923-24 had the assistance of 3-23 horse-power, whereas his confrere in 1927-28 was assisted by 5-10 horse-power, or 57-9 per cent, more in the way of mechanical aid. Inverting the expression of the comparison between value of production and persons engaged, it is seen that each £100,000 produced in 1923-24 required on the average 259 workers, whereas in 1927-28 the same unit of production required only 238 workers. The building industry has not been covered in the foregoing discussion, because annual statistics were not collected prior to 1925-26. An examination of these statistics shows that since 1925-26 the number of persons engaged has increased by 5-3 per cent., while the horse-power of machinery shows a gain of 26-9 per cent. ; the " added value " (difference between cost of materials plus payments to subcontractors and the value of work done) advanced over the same period by 7-9 per cent. In 1925-26 the average horse-power per person engaged was 0-60 horse-power, while the average added value was £324 ; in 1927-28 these figures were 0-72 horse-power and £332. While the foregoing clearly illustrate the increase in output for these industries, with fewer persons directly engaged in them, the Committee were not ignorant of the fact that some of the increased production is due to changing methods involving the employment of labour elsewhere. For instance, the great increase in the use of fertilizers in recent years is reflected in the increased carrying-capacity of the farms. The manufacture of fertilizer in the Dominion has rapidly developed in the same period, and is now firmly established and employing large numbers of men, also involving further employment in the transport of fertilizer to the farm. Then, the great increase in the use of milking-machines, while displacing labour on the dairy-farms, has created employment in the manufacture and servicing of milking-machines. The development of electric-power supply throughout the country has displaced the stationary fuel engine with its attendants, but has provided work for many men in connection with power stations, transmission-lines, and supply services. Other industries are developing in the Dominion and providing employment, as, for instance, the motor industry. The increasing use of machines either increases the output or decreases the number of employees in the particular industry affected. It often does both. It is difficult to arrive at the net result between the workers displaced in industry and the workers for whom employment is found in new or expanding industries. In the long-run the general effect is to steadily improve the average standard of living and the conditions of labour, but in the process of evolution, hardships and unemployment. result to those displaced by the machine unless and until they can be absorbed elsewhere. To quote Mr. Davis, " we cannot in any way set limits to or retard progress," but labour displaced as a result of these developments must be guided into other productive employment, and during any temporary period of unemployment in some way must be provided for. (5) Periodic Unemployment arising from Widespread Trade Depression. This is a phenomenon which all countries experience, and there is much literature available already on this subject. In New Zealand we suffered severe trade depressions in 1921 and in 1926 because of reduced prices for our exported products. Our imports exceeded our exports and we had to suddenly curtail our national expenditure. The same thing will undoubtedly happen again, and so long as the general finance of the country is dealt with in accordance with sound policy there is nothing very much to fear. Temporary situations can always be met with comparatively less difficulty than attaches to the solution of problems long continued. (6) Unemployment arising from Incapacity or from Improper Training. This matter comes within the scope of our inquiry only in so far as it is necessary to know how the number of unemployables affects the total number of unemployed, and whether anything can be recommended which will lessen the proportion of unemployables in the future. The actual provision of relief for the unfit must be something quite apart from the general question into which we are inquiring. REMEDIES. The above classification of unemployment and the brief reference to each of the classes suggest certain lines of investigation as to remedies. For instance, the regular seasonal unemployment of freezing-works hands, shearers, dairy-factory hands, and harvesters would be prevented if there could be established suitable industries which require an equal number of workers during the period from May to October. A search for such industries leads inevitably to forestry as one of them, since the work of planting trees must be done in autumn and winter, and much other work in connection with forestry can be done in winter, and no harm results from suspension of work in summer. Forestry has therefore been selected as one of the first subjects to be fully reported upon. We are seeking further information concerning public works and the works of local bodies, in the hope of being able to recommend some system by which such works may be made the greatest possible use of as a source of useful employment for seasonal workers. It would appear to be necessary in this connection to establish some central body through which the amount of work to be done in any season shall be arranged to match the available labour-supply and by which the supply of labour likely to be available may be estimated beforehand. At present we have not sufficient knowledge to enable us to deal fully with this matter, but it will be concluded as soon as practicable. Still considering seasonal unemployment, we have been struck by the fact that at the end of the summer there is a marked tendency for the country workers to drift into the towns to seek work for the winter. This has two effects : first, to increase the difficulties of the town authorities, and, second,

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to deplete the country of workers who could be usefully employed there. We are convinced that this drift to the towns could be greatly reduced if country workers were assisted to obtain homes in the country, and we have therefore selected " Homes for Country Workers " as the second subject for a full recommendation in this report. The two other causes of unemployment, numbers 3 and 4 in the above classification, suggests the need for some system under which workers displaced from employment by the introduction of new machines, methods, or materials will be cared for until they can be absorbed in other industries. The proportion of these workers to the total registered unemployed is difficult to estimate, but they constitute a part of the problem which is quite different from that of the regular seasonal workers. Incapacity considered as a cause of unemployment suggests one remedy which perhaps this Committee might usefully consider —viz., to remodel our general education scheme so that the school training of boys and girls will tend to prepare them most effectually for useful work after their schooldays end. AFPOEBSTATION AS A MEANS OF RELIEVING- AND PBEVENTING UNEMPLOYMENT. While unemployment is a problem common to all countries, the incidence of unemployment varies greatly as between different countries. New Zealand being mainly a primary producing country, and operations in the meat, dairying, and wool industries being almost entirely suspended during the winter months, seasonal unemployment is probably proportionately more severe here than in most other countries. The displacement of several thousands of workers at the end of the season, with the consequent loss to trade of their spending-power, also aggravates the general problem of unemployment. As stated in our General Report, the promotion of productive industrial undertakings is infinitely preferable for the prevention of unemployment to any system of relief works. Works undertaken as measures of relief from unemployment must also, generally speaking, rank in order of preference according to the degree in which they may be expected to be of a reproductive character. Both as a productive industry and as a form of relief work we think consideration must be given to the question of afforestation, for the following reasons : — (1) Afforestation is at its period of greatest activity —i.e., the planting season —during the period May to October, when the primary industries are at their slackest. (2) Tree-planting is, apart from supervision, comparatively unskilled work, and therefore capable of being performed by a large proportion of the workers displaced by seasonal causes. (3) A sufficient number of experienced workers at present employed by the State Forest Service and private afforestation companies is available to supervise planting operations performed by a large number of inexperienced workers. (4) If undertaken as a measure of relief to meet the needs of an abnormal period of general unemployment,, afforestation can, if resources are made available in advance, be largely expanded or contracted at comparatively small cost. (5) Money spent on afforestation goes, with the exception of the cost of land and also of imported seed (a very small item), entirely to the payment of labour in this country. (6) The climate of New Zealand is peculiarly suited to the growth of soft woods, the normal growth here being at a rate which in many countries would be regarded as phenomenal. (7) The research and experimental work of the State Forest Service over many years afford safe guides for large-scale operations. (8) There are practically unlimited areas of Crown and other lands capable of bearing timber but unsuitable for agricultural or pastoral purposes. (9) Apart from direct returns in timber and other forest products, afforestation has a considerable indirect value in enhancing the productivity of adjacent lands by affording shelter, by conserving moisture and so preventing floods, and by the protection it affords to the soil by preventing permanent deterioration owing to denudation. From the foregoing it would appear that if economically sound afforestation may afford a valuable balancing factor in the country's industry normally, and also a possible means of relief in a period of abnormal unemployment. Although afforestation has not been adopted as a measure for coping with unemployment, a considerable amount of tree-planting has been done already in New Zealand by the Prison authorities, by the State Forest Service, by local bodies, by private afforestation companies, and by private landowners. In recent years these operations have been upon a fairly large scale, and undoubtedly have tended to ease the unemployment situation by employing a large number of workers at the worst period of the year. During the 1928 planting season 427 workers were engaged in planting by private companies, while at least three times that number were similarly engaged by the State Forest Service. Commercial afforestation in New Zealand is a comparatively new industry, but since its inception in 1923 by the formation of private companies for this purpose a total area of 104,175 acres had been planted up to March, 1928. As the amounts invested by the public in this enterprise have fluctuated from year to year, the acreage planted has also fluctuated. During the last three years the areas established have been 15,826, 49,824, and 39,222 acres. Almost the whole area planted by these companies has consisted of one species—i.e., Pinus radiata (Pinus insignis). Tree-planting by local authorities has been so far almost negligible, and has been mainly on water-catchment areas. It seems desirable that greater attention should be given to tree-planting by local bodies, as, if waste or low-value land is available in the vicinity of the larger towns and such land were utilized for timber, the resulting product would find an available market without incurring heavy transport charges. The labour required would usually be available locally in the winter months, and the employment would be comparatively near to the men's homes. By far the greatest part in tree-planting in New Zealand has been performed by the State Forest Service. From 1896 to 1928 a total area of 133,997 acres was established by the State. For the quarter of a century up to 1922 planting was on a comparatively small scale, but a programme was then decided upon by Parliament designed to establish a total of 300,000 acres by the year 1935.

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Under this programme an increasing acreage was planted, ranging from 2,800 in 1922 to 57,800 acres in 1928. As the objective was then clearly in view, a curtailment of 11,000 is planned for this year (1929), and further curtailments of 10,000 acres each year following until the completion of the programme. During the seven years 148,700 acres have been established, at a direct cost of £529,100, of which about three-fourths was paid as wages. The economy of large-scale operations and a continuous programme is shown by the fact that in 1922 an area of 2,800 acres was established at a cost of £5 12s. 2d. per acre, while in 1928 57,400 acres established cost only £2 lis. lid. per acre. If afforestation is to be undertaken by the State beyond the present programme and on a large scale, it is essentia] that immediate consideration be given to the question, as a considerable amount of preparatory work is necessary before actual planting is practicable, and therefore a definite programme covering a period of years must be laid down. Land must be surveyed and laid out with fire-breaks, roads, &c. ; seed must be procured (to some extent overseas), and nurseries for the growth of young trees must be established. To secure economical continuity in these operations finance must be assured beforehand, not subject to casual grants or political expediency. If a definite programme is decided upon and due preparation made, such a programme can at a moderate extra cost be expanded in a period of exceptional unemployment to meet the needs of the situation, and in such case grants might be made to recoup the undertaking for the additional outlay involved. On the other hand, should an all-round improvement in trade at any time absorb into general industry so large a proportion of the seasonal and general unemployed that labour is not freely available for tree-planting, the greater part of the preparation work would not be lost, but would be available for another season. The principal exception would be the season's planting of young trees, but even here a one-season stand over is practicable with some species of trees with little loss. A practicable alternative to standing-over a considerable quantity of trees would be to carry on planting with some dilution of juvenile or female labour. Before any decision on the question of a wide extension of the policy of afforestation can be safely arrived at the economic aspect of the matter must receive careful consideration. As this is mainly a matter for experts, we do not presume to advance a general opinion, except that, if shown to be economically sound, afforestation may be made a peculiarly valuable adjunct to the Dominion's industries, and also a considerable factor in dealing with crises of unemployment. In the latter connection it must be borne in mind that hitherto measures undertaken for relief of unemployment have seldom if ever been reproductive, therefore the extent to which afforestation may be reasonably expected to be reproductive must be given its proper weight in considering this industry as unemployment relief work. In arriving at a judgment on the question of the economic soundness of afforestation it is not possible to make any certain and definite pronouncement on account of the long period between the initial outlay and the partial or complete harvesting of the product, and the corresponding uncertainty as to market and price at those periods. Timber is a commodity which takes a long time to produce. The more rapidly growing exotic softwoods take not less than from forty to fifty years to mature. Each £1 of initial expenditure by compound interest accretion at 4| per cent, becomes a charge against the undertaking in fifty years' time of more than £9. If considered purely from the viewpoint of timber-production, the prime factor is the question of market and price in fifty years' time. Here considerable difference of opinion exists among experts. On the one hand, it may be generally stated that world authorities have for some years past sounded a persistent note of warning as to a world shortage of softwoods within a measurable period. This is mainly due to the enormous demands made on the existing forests for wood-pulp for various purposes, a demand that so far increases year by year as additional uses for this material are discovered. A notable recent addition in this field is for artificial silk and wool. The period at which a shortage may be expected according to this view is indicated by the statement made at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Forestry League on the 28th June of this year (vide Dominion, 29th June, 1929) by the Director of Forestry that " experts considered that the natural timber-supplies of this Dominion would be exhausted by 1965. It was further considered that exportable surpluses in both America- and Canada would disappear in twenty years' time." If this view is only partially true, the probability is that by the time the present plantations, and any further ones which may be undertaken, will be mature for harvesting the present importation of softwoods into New Zealand will have ceased, and there will be an export market at a remunerative price. On the other hand, it must be borne in mind that this view is by no means universal, and in particular is not supported by the competent authorities in the Dominion's sawmilling industry. Neither is it borne out by the present state of that industry, which has been for some years in a depressed condition. The latter condition may, however, be partly due to faulty organization, which it is at present sought to remedy by legislative action. It is natural and proper, under such existing conditions, that a conservative viewpoint should be dominant, but it must be borne in mind that the operations of the industry are almost entirely confined to the native forests, and that one of the prime factors in producing the present depressed condition in the industry is the increasing inaccessibility of the standing bush, with the corresponding high cost of haulage to the available markets or ports for exportation. This latter is a point which must, receive the most serious consideration in connection with any scheme of planting which may be entered upon in the future. The question of the economic justification of a policy of extensive afforestation for the future is a matter to be decided only after the careful weighing of expert opinion, and this Committee have not had either sufficient evidence or sufficient time to enable them to reach a final conclusion. However, there are some points to which we wish to draw attention. The question of forest utilization cannot, at the present time be considered solely, if indeed mainly, from the point of view of the production of sawn timber. If this point alone is considered, it would appear that the extensive use of substitutes for wood, in the shape of concrete for building and bridge construction, and of wall-board composed largely of mineral products for interior work, would be

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likely to offset the shrinkage of natural forests at present apparent and to produce a depreciated market in the future. But, as previously indicated, the present consumption of timber in other countries is very largely and increasingly not in sawn timbers, but in various forms of wood-pulp. Utilization of forest-products by pulping has three main features as contrasted with use for sawmilling : (1) Increasing demand, (2) an earlier harvest, (3) a more complete utilization. (1) Increasing Demand. The great increase in educational facilities and the growth of the newspaper press all over the world have produced a huge demand for paper in all forms. Almost all paper is at present made from wood-pulp, and at present no effective substitute in appreciable quantity is in sight. The tendency is unquestionably for this demand to increase as time goes on. In addition to its use for papermaking, wood-pulp is continually being put to new uses, while new inventions make it possible to render timber which was previously waste of economic value in pulp form. (2) An Earlier Harvest. The fact that timber of quite small diameter can be used for pulping lessens very greatly the time between the cost of establishment and repayment in harvest, and instead of large sums being locked up in forest plantations for forty or fifty years, the faster-growing exotics suitable for pulping can be grown in New Zealand sufficiently large for that purpose in half that time. A series of laboratory tests made in several countries and by various processes go to show that some New Zealand timbers, and also some species of planted timber, are suitable for the production of wood-pulp. In this connection we would call attention to the highly valuable report on the subject by Mr. A. R. Entrican to the New Zealand Institute Science Congress, Auckland (January, 1929). Further, newsprint of satisfactory quality has been manufactured abroad from New Zealand timber and used experimentally for newspaper work in this country. (3) More Complete Utilization. The use of timber in sawmilling operations at present entails a very great amount of waste, in scantlings, small limbs, &c. For pulping purposes no part of the timber, apart from the bark, of any appreciable size is wasted. The utilization of the crop in pulping is therefore much greater than in the production of sawn timber. Given certain conditions it seems probable that the wood-pulp industry may be profitably introduced into New Zealand in the future. Consideration should be given to this in connection with any scheme of afforestation which it may be decided to enter upon. The Government might consider assisting the establishment of this industry by subsidy or some other method. A most important point to be determined is the location of any future pulping plants, with a view to forest plantations being made as nearly adjacent to them as practicable. The cost of transportation of the raw timber material to the pulping plant and of the manufactured product to the available market will be a great and possibly a deciding factor in the success or otherwise of wood-pulping in this country, and if, with a view to future developments in this direction, plantations can be established near suitable locations for pulping plants, it is probable that in the comparatively near future New Zealand may produce a large part or the whole of the paper and wood-pulp at present imported, which has now reached an annual value of £1,000,000 and is increasing every year. The prime importance of location with a view to minimizing transport charges is practically illustrated at the present time by the problem presented by the question of thinning the older existing plantations. In the earlier plantations in New Zealand trees were planted 4 ft. apart, but in later-planted areas they are spaced more widely. Upwards of 20,000 acres of State forest of the close-planted type are now sixteen years and upwards in age. For the production of commercial timber it is essential that much more space must be given at various stages of growth. Natural thinning by the death of a large proportion of the trees has not occurred to any great extent, and the consensus of expert opinion is that thinning is essential in these forest plantations at the present time. If this is not undertaken there is serious danger from delay in growth and deterioration of the whole of the trees, with consequent heavy loss to the undertaking. The Committee on New Zealand Forestry of the British Forestry Conference, 1928 (pages 36-37 of Summary Report), stated that in these plantations " thinnings are urgently required," and that " this work should be pushed on to the utmost extent possible." While practical unanimity exists as to the need for thinning, opinions differ as to the method to be adopted. One very serious aspect of the question is the fact that while it is dangerous to leave lying in the plantations the trees cut down for thinning purposes, the cost of removal would be high, and little if any market exists for this class of product. If allowed to remain when felled the dried thinnings constitute a serious fire menace, and they provide also breeding-grounds for fungoid and insect parasites which, when their dead food is exhausted, may attack the living trees and ruin the whole forest. It is therefore desirable that, if possible, the trees thinned out be removed. There remains the important question of utilizing them so that at least a part of the cost of extraction will be recovered. The question is complicated by the fact that the whole area ripe for thinning is not in one block or even in one area, but in widely separated districts —mainly at Tapanui (Otago), Hanmer (Canterbury), and Rotorua. The plantations also consist of several species of trees, thus rendering a common treatment difficult to arrive at. The size of the undertaking and the amount of light timber which may have to be extracted is shown by the fact that to thin the State plantations at present requiring thinning in the Rotorua district alone from the present 4 ft. spacing to 12 ft. apart is calculated to yield not less than 22,000,000 cubic feet of timber more than 4 in. diameter. Unless the cost of extraction can be met wholly or in large part by the sale of this timber, the operation of thinning will entail a very hea.vy charge against the undertaking. We recommend that

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15

the Government consider the question of spending some part of any money set apart for unemployment relief in this essential work of thinning. A certain limited market exists for this class of product in the main centres of population, as larch for scaffolding-poles, and Austrian and Oorsioan pines for firewood and fencing, which are the main species contained; but the great distances from the market will probably make the transport charges prohibitive. Even if it was proposed to pulp this product, unless a pulping plant could be established within reasonable reach of the plantations, transport charges would constitute a considerable barrier to economic operation. A possible alternative method of utilization is distillization. This is at present practised on a commercial basis in Germany, but we have not sufficient information at our disposal to enable us to form an opinion as to its practicability in this country and in connection with the existing plantations and forests. In view of the urgent need for some method or methods of effective utilization of sawmilling waste and light timber from the indigenous forests and from the existing and future plantations, we recommend that special investigation be made into this subject. If this problem can be solved the present forests can be made a very considerable source of employment and revenue, and large-scale afforestation can be entered upon with confidence. It should be noted that New Zealand possesses unique resources in water and water-power, two of the prime requisites for wood-pulp manufacture. Two considerable adjuncts to the question of afforestation are —(1) Sand-dune reclamation, (2) fur industry. Sand-dune Reclamation. The encroachment of sand-dunes on both sides of the North Auckland coast is reported to be deteriorating large areas of land, both directly and also indirectly by the damming of watercourses. This is, in our opinion, a matter of national importance. The experience gained by the Rangitikei Experimental Stations shows that this menace can be arrested. (See periodical report, State Forest Service, 1928.) The necessary work is such that it will employ a proportion of unskilled labour. We recommend that steps be taken immediately to cope with the matter, as a safeguard to the occupied lands and as a means of affording productive employment. Fur Industry. A further possible step in providing profitable winter employment in this country is by the development of a fur industry in connection with the indigenous State forests. The introduction some years ago of the opossum and the results obtained up to the present are such that we recommend that serious consideration be given to this question. It appears that a very considerable extension might be made in this field, resulting in the establishment of a valuable industry employing a large number of men during the slack period in the primary industries. As an example : In the Wellington, Taranaki, and Hawke's Bay Districts 136,000 acres of State forests are stocked with opossums out of a total area in those districts of 728,900 acres. Last season 313 trappers operated under license in this area. They secured 28,750 skins, of a market value of £19,000. If the remaining four-fifths of this area had been stocked the fur yield and the number of trappers would probably have been proportionately increased. The total value of opossum-skins taken last year in the Dominion was £157,000. The trapped skins ranged in various blocks from one skin to each 2,000 acres up to as high as five skins per acre, with an average for all stocked areas of about one skin to each 5 acres, while by far the greater part of the indigenous State forests is unstocked. It has been proved that the opossum is capable of successful acclimatization in every district of both Islands, That being so, we are of opinion that the present fur-bearing area could be extended greatly. If this were done, and average results obtained at all comparable with those obtained up to the present, a very valuable industry might be established. It is probable that improvements might be made and an even better average result obtained by proper control of types introduced with a definite view to fur-production. The present stock has been introduced by a number of acclimatization societies, and several varieties have been brought in and liberated somewhat indiscriminately. This has resulted in a hybrid type of comparatively low skin-value tending to develop. With divided control and independent action this is inevitable, but if the introduction of stock and the control of establishment were placed in the hands of a central controlling authority with a sufficient appropriation to cover the operation it seems probable that within a few years' time an industry, growing all the time and entirely self-supporting, would result. Some apprehension exists as to the safety of a wide extension of opossum-breeding being a danger to (1) the fruit industry, (2) young forest growth and regeneration. With regard to damage to the fruit industry, although all orchardists in opossum areas have unrestricted rights to destroy these animals, last year, of the total skins taken, between one and two hundred thousand in all, only 658 were taken by orchardists. It is probable that the value of the skins more than recouped them foxany damage done. With respect to possible damage to the forests by the destruction of bird-life or of young timber stock, Professor Kirk, as a result of years of observation, states that at no time has he detected any sign of the former. Mr. D. Hope, curator to the North Canterbury Acclimatization Society, has recently {New Zealand Herald, 6th July, 1929) emphatically confirmed this opinion. Concerning possible destruction of young timber stock, the observations of the State Forest Service field staff go to show conclusively that in the indigenous forests the opossum lives exclusively on the succulent secondary growth which is so marked a feature of the New Zealand bush, and does no damage whatever to the milling-tree species.

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The nature of the New Zealand bush, with its typical fresh undergrowth, which readily regenerates, appears to make it an ideal home for the opossum, while the wide range of climate from north to south and from mountain to low-level forest should allow of the cultivation of a number of valuable varieties each in its most suitable environment. If this great national domain can produce a rich fur harvest and afford a considerable amount of winter employment, it is desirable that special attention should be paid to it without delay. For much of the information contained in this report we are indebted to the State Forest Service and the Department of Internal Affairs, and we desire to express our indebtedness for their unfailing courtesy and valuable assistance. Homes for Country Workers. The farming industry of New Zealand provides practically the whole of our exports. It follows, therefore, that it is the source from which we pay for the whole of our imports, and so is of supreme importance to our national economic welfare. Farming, with its dependent industries, provides the greatest employment for labour at present, and offers the widest scope for further employment in the future, because the market for its products is practically unlimited. That being the case, it would be a wise thing to make suitable provision to enable workers to live under good conditions in the best farming-areas where work for them is likely to be permanent. The State has recognized the wisdom of helping to provide workers homes in town areas, and many very fine blocks of houses in towns throughout the Dominion exist as a result of that policy. We are of the opinion that farm-workers need the same help, and that if it be given in a suitable way the result will be a substantial increase in the number of permanent country workers. In spite of existing legislation there is no adequate systematic provision of workers' homes in the country at present. Some farmers employ married men and provide cottages for them. Some married farm-workers have homes and small areas of land of their own ; but in the overwhelming majority of eases farmers offer employment to single men only because there is no accommodation for married workers in the farming-areas. A good farm-worker must be trained ; in fact, to become a good shepherd, cowman, ploughman, or fencer requires long practice under competent instruction. What usually happens is that boys start work on farms upon leaving school. They serve several years and acquire skill as all-round farm-workers. Then comes the time when they wish to marry, and the inability to obtain homes in the country drives them into the towns. They lose the status of skilled country workers and join the ranks of unskilled town workers, for whom work is at best intermittent, and who as a class largely make up the ranks of the unemployed. An idea which seems to be very prevalent is that all farm-workers should after a time have farms of their own. That is, however, just as fallacious as to suggest that every worker in city industries should be assisted by the Government to obtain a business of his own. Only a proportion of those who become skilled farm-workers can become farmers on their own account, and the problem is not to find them farms, but to find them homes. In order to make good as a farmer a young man must have acquired not only experience as a farmworker, but also he must have judgment in planning his work, and he must be industrious, and able to utilize his money to the best advantage. The qualities of experience, judgment, and thrift are essential whether the young farmer starts with or without capital. In its land-settlement schemes the State has recognized this necessity. Before a man can enter a land ballot he must show the Lands Department officials that he has farm experience and has saved or otherwise acquired some capital. When he has drawn a section the State Advances Department will advance him only a percentage of the value of his necessary improvements. The Rural Credits Office will advance only a percentage of the value of his live-stock. The balance required for improvements and stock the farmer must find himself. Further, the advances must be repaid by annual instalments. There are good farmworkers who are quite unfit to farm on their own account. The aim should be to have all our land worked in the most efficient manner. On some lands the best results can be obtained from small holdings, while on other lands large-scale production, like largescale factory production, will yield the best results. Similarly, all farms occupied should be put to the best use in order that more labour may be employed in primary production. Farm-work is more suitable for married workers than single men. Married men remain in their places longer and as a rule take more interest in their work. From the farmer's point of view, therefore, they are the better workmen to have, and it is desirable to make provision to accommodate them in greater numbers. From the worker's point of view there are substantial advantages that cost the farmer very little but are of value to the worker. For example, he can obtain the grazing of a cow, and sometimes more than one. He can also have sufficient land for poultry, vegetable-garden, and fruit-trees. Many well-to-do farmers in recent years have put up cottages for married workers, and this method of finding homes in the country is likely to continue. Most farmers, however, are not in a position to find the necessary money to erect cottages. The State can assist in providing married country workers with homes in three ways, and we recommend it should do so, as follows :—■ (a) Provision for assisting farmers to erect cottages for married workers has already been made through section 45 of the Housing Act, 1919, which authorizes advances to farmers up to 75 per cent, of the value of the security. This Act was passed at the time when the Advances to Settlers maximum loan was 66§ per cent, (of the Department's valuation) and the Advances to Workers loan was 75 per cent, (since increased to 95 per cent.). For some reason very little advantage has been taken of this provision. The Committee think that very few farmers know of it. The fact that money is available for farmers in this way should be made widely known. A farmer seeking assistance to build a cottage for a worker would probably have a mortgage on his farm. A suitable area with a road frontage would have to be surveyed off and freed from the existing mortgage so that the Advances Department could have the necessary security.

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17

(b) Country workers should be assisted to build tomes of their own in closely settled country districts in the same way as workers are assisted in towns—viz., a 95-per-cent. advance on a table mortgage, with a limit of £1,250. This would enable a country worker to acquire a suitable area in a closely settled district and build a home oil it. (c) The Lands Department when it acquires properties for settlement purposes in closely settled districts should include in their subdivision a certain number of workers' sections to be balloted for by workers. The successful applicants could then erect homes, obtaining advances from the State Advances Department on table mortgage up to 95 per cent, of security value. These country workers' homes should be on areas ranging in size from, say, 1 to 10 acres, according to the quality and value of the land and proximity to a town or township. The idea behind the country worker's home proposal as set out in (b) and (c) should be that the worker should have enough land to carry from, say, one to three cows, and have enough ground for a vegetable-garden, pigs, and poultry. Such a home would provide many of the necessaries of life unobtainable from a small town section. Its owner in a settled district would be almost sure of full employment during probably eight months of the year, and if during the winter season he was short of work he could put in his time on his own section, where he could live more cheaply than in a town, and could do work on his own place that would add to its productiveness. The owner of a country worker's home Would never be amongst the unemployed. We understand that the State Advances Department has not looked with favour upon advances on workers' homes situated in the country, on the ground' that in the event of any of the houses falling into the hands of the Department they would not be as easily sold as houses situated in a town. The departmental officers are quite right in taking every precaution. Their chief duty is to safeguard from loss the funds under their care. We hardly think, however, that our proposals involve much risk. In any case, the cost of unemployment is a heavy charge on the public funds, and it is worth taking some risk in any direction that promises to reduce unemployment. Prior to the passing of the State Advances Amendment Act, 1923, advances on workers' homes were limited to 75 per cent, of the value of the security. This Act provided for advances up to 95 per cent, of the security value. Many competent men in the financial world thought that the State in doing this was taking a great risk and that losses would be heavy. The view of the Legislature was that the shortage of houses was so acute that some risk was worth taking if it would help the position. Since 1923 there has been a considerable fall in the cost of building, and this fall would tend to depreciate the value of the houses on which advances have been made. Notwithstanding this unfavourable condition, the experience of these 95-per-cent. advances has been, on the whole, satisfactory, and a most useful purpose has been served. We are satisfied that the experience with country workers' homes would also prove satisfactory, and in addition the provision of these homes would help materially to reduce unemployment, and at the same time substantially help farm production. (Note. —Mr. Hunt here wishes to record that he cannot agree to the proposal that advances to farmers for the purpose of erecting workers' cottages should be limited to 75 per cent, of the value of the security. He is of opinion that farmers for the purpose mentioned should have the same limit as workers. He cannot understand why it should be considered that it is in the interests of the State to advance up to 95 per cent, to enable country workers to obtain homes and that it is not in the interests of the State to make a similar advance to a farmer to enable him to house a country worker and at the same time assure him of permanent employment.) In presenting this report we wish to say that we have not attempted to deal exhaustively with the whole complex problem of unemployment relief, which would require consideration of many other factors. We propose, therefore, to investigate and report, amongst other subjects, on the following : — (1) Land-settlement, involving (a) financial aid, (b) cutting up into smaller holdings large farms in first-class districts, (c) settlement of Crown and Native lands, (d) development of lands generally. (2) Development of new branches of industry connected with land by providing direct encouragement and assisting to remove difficulties which may be at present retarding development. (3) Development of secondary industries by direct encouragement and assisting to remove difficulties which may be at present retarding development. (4:) Vocational education. (5) Immigration.

3—H. 118.

H.—llß.

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF. (1) The nature of the work which can best be undertaken as relief work having regard to —(a) Its suitability to the physical abilities of the unemployed and accessibility to centres of population ; (ib) its cost apart from the wages paid ; (c) its value to the community. (2) Labour exchanges. (3) Statistics of employment and unemployment. (4) Unemployment insurance. Our further sectional reports will be presented as each special investigation is completed. We remain, Yours faithfully, W. D. Hunt, Chairman. T. 0. Bishop. Malcolm Feasee. Oscae Mcßeine. Jas. Robeets. H. D. Thompson.

18

H.—llb,

19

Graph A. Numbers on Unemployment Register of Labour Department for each Week, 1921-1929.

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20

Graph B. Public Works Employees.—Number of Artisans and Labourers on the last Day of each Week, 1921-1929.

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21

Seasonal Fluctuations in Employment, 1926 and 1927.— Ratio Chart indicating the Seasonal Fluctuations in Employment during the Calendar Years 1926 and 1927 (Wage-earning Employees) on Public Works, in the Manufacturing and Building Industries, and in all Three combined. N.B.—The curves have been plotted from relative numbers equating the figures for each month to the arithmetic mean for the twenty -four months. Movements above the horizontal line 100 indicate percentage increases, while those below the line indicate percentage decreases from the mean.

Graph C.

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22

Graph D.

Seasonal Fluctuations in Employment, 1926 and 1927.— Ratio Chart indicating Seasonal Fluctuations in Employment during the Calendar Years 1926 and 1927 (Wage-earning Employees) in (a) the Meat-freezing, Ham and Bacon, Butter and Cheese, Sausage-casing, Wool-scouring and Fellmongering and Boiling-down Industries ; (b) Other Manufacturing ; and (c) the Building Industry. N.B.—The curves have been plotted from relative numbers equating the figures for each month to the arithmetic mean for the twenty-four months. Movements above the horizontal line 100 indicate percentage increases, while those below the line indicate percentage decreases from the mean for each series.

H.-118.

UNEMPLOYED on Register of Government Employment Bureux classified according to Age, Conjugal Condition, and Period on Register.

H. —118

UNEMPLOYED on Register of Government Employement Bureaux, Totals by No. of Departments, by Duration of Unemployement by Length of Residence in New Zealand, and by Nature of Work for which fitted.

H.—llß.

Graph G.

23

H. —118.

TABLES. TABLE I.—NUMBERS ON UNEMPLOYMENT REGISTER OF LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR EACH WEEK, 1921-29.

24

1921. : 1922. 1923. 1924. Week ended Number. Week ended Number. Week ended Number. Week ended Number. Jan. 7 927 Jan. 6 469 14 1.056 13 690 Jan. 14 361 21 1,142 20 728 21 381 28 1,105 27 671 28 371 Feb. 4 1,147 Feb. 3 632 Feb. 4 382 11 1,199 10 656 11 396 18 1,188 17 616 18 370 25 1,179 24 616 25 343 Mar. 4 1,101 Mar. 3 595 Mar. 3 321 11 1,179 10 620 10 298 18 1,238 17 651 17 337 25 1,245 24 601 24 366 31 556 31 345 April 1 1,250 April 7 574 April 7 373 8 1,164 14 671 14 365 15 1,191 21 665 28 401 April 23 302 22 1,174 28 586 30 405 29 1,333 May 7 418 May 6 1,448 May 5 522 May 5 462 14 643 13 1,492 12 686 12 513 21 1.130 20 1,557 19 767 19 510 28 1,367 27 1,643 26 784 26 496 June 4 1,295 June 3 1,784 June 2 803 June 2 553 11 1,449 10 1,751 9 840 9 560 18 1,439 17 1,778 16 953 16 577 25 1,433 24 1,825 23 949 23 565 30 847 30 560 July 2 1,420 July 1 1,752 July 9 903 July 7 566 9 1,370 8 1,813 16 866 . 14 542 16 1,181 15 1,749 23 738 21 569 23 1.185 22 1,574 30 649 28 604 30 1,265 29 1,545 Aug. 6 1,186 Aug. 5 1.420 Aug. 6 626 Aug. 4 629 13 1,165 12 1,331 13 634 11 572 20 1,145 19 1,350 20 555 18 496 27 1,140 26 1,361 27 544 25 475 Sept. 3 1,153 Sept. 2 1,382 Sept. 3 538 Sept. 1 488 10 1,136 9 1,299 10 523 8 474 17 1,302 16 1,217 17 523 15 493 24 1,257 23 1,148 24 499 22 470 30 1,129 .. .. 29 489 Oct. 1 1,131 .. .. Oct. 1 508 8 1,179 Oct. 7 1,085 8 464 Oct.. 6 .396 15 1,165 14 1,060 15 432 13 410 22 1.089 21 1,009 22 389 20 429 29 1,150 28 945 29 382 27 432 Nov. 5 1,140 Nov. 4 902 Nov. 5 366 Nov. 3 407 12 1,033 11 908 12 363 10 376 19 1,121 18 884 19 384 17 351 26 960 25 869 26 380 24 294 Dec. 3 897 Dec. 2 752 Dec. 3 351 Dec. 1 296 10 879 9 660 10 318 8 280 17 888 16 516 17 268 15 239 30 370 Total .. 38,416 Total.. 63,126 Total.. 29,951 Total.. 20,983 Average 1,097 Average 1,237 Average 599 Average 437 1

H. —11b.

TABLE I.—NUMBERS ON UNEMPLOYMENT REGISTER OF LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR EACH WEEK, 1921-29—continued.

4—H. 1 Ib.

25

1925. 1926. 1927. 1928. j 1928. ended Number. Weekended Number. Weekended Number. Weekended Number. Weekended j Number. I 1 Jan. 5 122 Jan. 11 384 ! Jan. 10 1,063 Jan. 2 1,213 Jan. 7 1,828 12 259 18 422 17 1,406 9 1,507 14 2,419 19 339 25 425 24 1,396 16 2,018 21 2,476 26 329 .. .. 31 1,349 23 2,192 28 2,457 30 2,185 Feb. 2 302 Feb. 1 428 Feb. 7 1,372 Feb. 6 2,096 Feb. 4 2,369 9 308 8 428 14 1,501 13 2,267 | 11 2,491 16 297 15 466 21 1,506 20 2,787 18 2,429 23 308 22 448 28 1,433 27 3,137 25 2,440 Mar. 2 366 Mar. 1 472 Mar. 7 1,410 | Mar. 5 3,002 Mar. 4 2,534 9 355 8 489 14 1,708 12 2,799 11 2,692 16 361 15 480 21 1,725 19 2,436 18 2,790 23 372 22 499 28 1,824 26 2,509 25 2,956 30 363 29 547 .. .. .. April 6 379 April 5 517 April 4 1,940 April 9 2,358 April 1 2,787 13 332 12 531 11 1,904 16 2,534 8 2,796 20 342 19 571- 18 1,752 23 2,807 15 3,211 27 395 26 576 25 1,553 30 2,938 22 3,198 29 3,263 May 4 429 May 3 605 May 1 1,712 May 7 3,014 May 6 3,211 11 430 10 621 ' 8 1,877 14 3,095 ' 13 3,335 18 422 17 711 15 2,043 21 3,120 20 3,388 25 463 24 931 22 2,146 28 3,348 27 3,427 31 1,185 29 2,282 June 1 452 June 7 1,894 June 6 2,328 June 4 3,414 June 3 3,638 8 465 14 2,169 13 2,322 11 3,220 10 3,418 15 493 21 2,247 20 2,462 18 3,313 17 3,431 22 519 28 2,092 27 2,408 25 3,317 24 3,662 29 528 July 6 525 July 5 1,889 I July 4 2,141 ' July 2 3,305 July 1 3,796 13 574 12 1,760 11 2,399 9 3,153 8 3,896 20 715 19 1,719 18 2,973 16 3,069 27 792 26 1,674 25 2,708 23 3,186 30 3,042 Au<?. 3 690 Aug. 2 1,784 Aug. 1 2,765 Aug. 6 2,949 ' 10 563 9 1,800 8 2,928 13 2,628 17 451 16 1,815 I 15 2,700 20 2,536 24 423 23 1,784 1 22 2,642 27 2,434 31 449 j 30 1,697 | 29 2,498 Sept. 7 485 ! Sept. 6 1,653 ' Sept. 5 2,327 Sept. 3 2,337 14 526 ; 13 1,634 I 12 2,316 10 2,318 21 519 20 1,762 19 2,302 17 2,292 28 500 | 27 1,795 26 2,229 24 2,344 * Oct. 5 484 Oct. 4 1,711 Oct. 3 2,235 Oct. 1 2,361 12 451 11 1,625 10 2,118 8 2,425 19 429 18 1,604 17 2,035 15 2,278 26 382 25 1.472 24 1,993 22 2,255 31 1,952 29 2,212 Nov. 2 383 Nov. 1 1,452 Nov. 7 1,851 Nov. 5 2,081 9 395 8 1,350 14 1,783 12 1,909 16 422 15 1,345 21 1,747 19 1,903 23 416 22 1,325 28 1,634 26 1,815 30 385 29 1,328 Dec. 7 358 Dec. 6 1,308 Dec. 5 1,639 Dec. 3 1,823 14 363 13 1,226 12 1,613 10 1,788 21 344 .. .. 19 1,575 17 1,894 24 1,886 31 1,476 Total .. 21,754 Total .. 58,650 Total .. 99,125 Total .. 130,325 Total .. 80,338 Average 426 Average 1,196 Average 1,982 Average 2,504 Average 2,975

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26

TABLE II.-EMPLOYMENT ON PUBLIC WORKS. Table setting out the Number of Workmen (Artisans and Labourers) employed by the Public Works Department on the Last Day (Saturday) of each Week from 1st April, 1921, to 31st March, 1929.

Week ended | Week ended | Weekended | Week ended | e f a \ Weekended ggg 5/4/21 4,764 11/11/22 6,325 14/6/24 6,472 16/1/26 .8,713 27/8/27 11,708 9/4/21 4,677 18/11/22 6,282 21/6/24 6,551 23/1/26 8,925 3/9/27 11,627 16/4/21 4,710 25/11/22 6,372 28/6/24 6,553 30/1/26 9,007 10/9/27 11,515 23/4/21 4,664 2/12/22 6,389 5/7/24 6,564 6/2/26 9,122 17/9/27 11,510 30/4/21 4,570 9/12/22 6,375 12/7/24 6,559 13/2/26 9,254 24/9/27 11,375 7/5/21 4 528 16/12/22 6,336 19/7/24 6,566 20/2/26 9,222 1/10/27 11,458 14/5/21 4,451 23/12/22 5,923 26/7/24 6,596 27/2/26 9,401 8/10/27 11,375 21/5/21 4.524 30'12/22 4,840 2/8/24 6,578 6/3/26 9,558 15/10/27 11,212 28/5/21 4,582 ' ' 9/8/24 6,571 13/3/26 9,476 22/10/27 11,258 4/6/21 4,761 6/1/23 5,251 16/8/24 6,533 20/3/26 9,251 29/10/27 11,160 11/6/21 4,897 13/1/23 5,751 23/8/24 6,673 27/3/26 9,357 5/11/27 11,119 18/6/21 5.028 20/1/23 5,869 30/8/24 6,620 3/4/26 9,214 12/11/27 10,905 25/6/21 5,257 27/1/23 5,899 6/9/24 6,630 10/4/26 9,211 19/11/27 10,808 2/7/21 5,276 3/2/2S 5,905 13/9/24 6,598 17/4/26 9,287 26/]1/27 10,855 9/7/21 5,351 10/2/23 6,004 20/9/24 6,690 24/4/26 9,403 3/12/27 11,066 16/7/21 5,418 17/2/23 5,930 27/9/24 6,685 1/5/26 9,393 10/12/27 10,910 23/7/21 5,431 24/2/23 5,931 4/10/24 6,747 8/5/26 9,258 17/12/27 10,861 30/7/21 5,437 3/3/23 5,786 11/10/24 6,713 15/5/26 9,088 24/12/27 10,634 6/8/21 5,575 10/3/23 5,804 18/10/24 6,721 22/5/26 9,267 31/12/27 9,287 13/8/21 5,462 17/3/23 5.680 25/10/24 6,775 29/5/26 9,359 20/8/21 5,399 24/3/23 5,702 1/11/24 6,725 5/6/26 9,451 7/1/28 9,629 27/8/21 5;356 31/3/23 5,657 8/11/24 6,691 12/6/26 9,511 14/1/28 10,151 3/9/21 5,313 7/4/23 5,580 15/11/24 6,626 19/6/26 9,502 21/1/28 10,245 10/9/21 5,248 14/4/23 5,675 22/11/24 6,674 26/6/26 9,591 28/1/28 10,277 17/9/21 5,099 21/4/23 5,658 29/11/24 6,657 3/7/26 9,782 4/2/28 10,179 24/9/21 5,046 28/4/23 5,680 6/12/24 6,622 10/7/26 9,738 11/2/28 10.262 1/10/21 4,946 5/5/23 5,693 13/12/24 6,550 17/7/26 9,720 18/2/28 10,172 8/10/21 4,945 12/5/23 5,718 20/12/24 6,484 24/7/26 9,748 25/2/28 10,299 15/10/21 4,913 19/5/23 5,820 27/12/24 4,568 31/7/26 10,250 3/3/28 10,421 22/10/21 4,903 26/5/23 5,818 7/8/26 10,224 10/3/28 10,638 29/10/21 4,911 2/6/23 5,792 14/8/26 10,147 17/3/28 10,741 5/11/21 4,895 9/6/23 5,757 3/1/25 4,144 21/8/26 10,127 24/3/28 10,841 12/11/21 4,837 16/6/23 5,748 10/1/25 6,148 28/8/26 10,222 31/3/28 10,818 19/11/21 4,810 23/6/23 5,881 17/1/25 6,307 4/9/26 10,288 7/4/28 10,776 26/11/21 4,819 30/6/23 5,922 24/1/25 6,932 11/9/26 10.171 14/4/28 10,797 3/12/21 4,822 7/7/23 5,880 31/1/25 7,069 18/9/26 10,255 21/4/28 11,045 10/12/21 4,805 14/7/23 5,755 7/2/25 7,086 25/9/26 10,198 28/4/28 11,038 17/12/21 4,699 21/7/23 5,873 14/2/25 6,971 2/10/26 10,449 5/5/28 11,158 24/12/21 2,636 28/7/23 5,893 21/2/25 7,069 9/10/26 10,311 12/5/28 11,078 31/12/21 3,360 4/8/23 5,934 28/2/25 7,142 16/10/26 10,357 19/5/28 11,248 11/8/23 5,938 7/3/25 7,132 23/10/26 10,307 26/5/28 11,324 18/8/23 5,974 14/3/25 7,236 30/10/26 10,265 2/6/28 11,441 7/1/22 4,171 25/8/23 6,020 21/3/25 7,237 6/11/26 10,405 9/6/28 11,635 14/1/22 4,423 1/9/23 5,982 28/3/25 7,368 13/11/26 10,565 16/6/28 11,574 21/1/22 4,549 8/9/23 5,982 4/4/25 7,377 20/11/26 10,555 23/6/28 11,586 28'1/22 4,736 15/9/23 6,056 11/4/25 7,356 27/11/26 10,528 30/6/28 11,700 4/2/22 4,766 22/9/23 6,008 18/4/25 7,271 4/12/26 10,419 7/7/28 12,012 11/2/22 4,786 29/9/23 6.001 25/4/25 7,380 11/12/26 10,380 14/7/28 12,034 18/2/22 4,780 6/10/23 6,039 2/5/25 7,390 18/12/26 10,377 I 21/7/28 12,022 25/2/22 4,777 13/10/23 5,891 9/5/25 7,509 25/12/26 10,037 j 28/7/28 12,189 4/3/22 4,754 20/10/23 5,952 16/5/25 7,482 4/8/28 12,288 11/3/22 4,923 27/10/23 6,026 23/5/25 7,574 11/8/28 12,315 18/3/22 4,941 3/11/23 6,090 30/5/25 7,750 1/1/27 8,156 18/8/28 12.178 25/3/22 5,010 10/11/23 5,995 6/6/25 7,716 8/1/27 8,640 25/8/28 12,015 1/41/22 5,090 17/11/23 5,903 13/6/25 7,678 15/1/27 9,484 1/9/28 12,187 8/4/22 5,308 24/11/23 6,046 20/6/25 7,727 22/1/27 9,698 8/9/28 12,112 15/4/22 5,392 1/12/23 6,131 27/6/25 7,827 29/1/27 9,823 15/9/28 I 12,263 22/4/22 5,435 8/12/23 6,140 4/7/25 7,734 5/2/27 10,086 22/9/28 I 12,181 29/4/22 5,564 15/12/23 6,168 11/7/25 7,639 12/2/27 10,383 29/9/28 12,342 6/5/22 5,608 22/12/23 5,817 18/7/25 7,621 19/2/27 10,625 6/10/28 12.445 13/5/22 5,817 29/12/23 3,640 25/7/25 7,591 26/2/27 10.737 13/10/28 12,412 20/5/22 5,889 1/8/25 7,569 5/3/27 10,862 20/10/28 12,603 27/5/22 5,992 8/8/25 7,528 12/3/27 10,927 27/10/28 12,769 3/6/22 6,107 5/1/24 4,356 15/8/25 7,411 19/3/27 10,786 3/.11/28 12,822 10/6/22 6,117 12/1/24 5,927 22/8/25 7,633 26/3/27 10,887 10/11/28 12,857 17/6/22 6,093 19/1/24 6,223 29/8/25 7,798 2/4/27 10,945 17/11/28 12,981 24/6/22 6,243 26/1/24 6,252 5/9/25 7,866 9/4/27 11,147 24/11/28 12,968 1/7/22 6,461 2/2/24 6,380 12/9/25 8,087 16/4/27 11,238 1/12/28 13,042 8/7/22 6,289 9/2/24 6,485 19/9/25 8.378 23/4/27 11,310 | 8/12/28 13,175 15/7/22 6,483 16/2/24 6,456 26/9/25 8,473 30/4/27 11,428 15/12/28 13,041 22/7/22 6,599 23/2/24 6,652 3/10/25 8,555 7/5/27 11,580 22/12/28 12,530 29/7/22 6,723 1/3/24 6,637 10/10/25 8,662 14/5/27 11,427 29/12/28 11,533 5/8/22 6,636 8/3/24 6,692 17/10/25 8,758 21/5/27 11,644 12/8/22 6,691 15/3/24 6,704 24/10/25 8,748 28/5/27 11,693 5/1/29 11,556 19/8/22 6,629 22/3/24 6,778 31/10/25 8,813 4/6/27 11,542 12/1/29 12,861 26/8/22 6,696 29/3/24 6,749 7/11/25 8,747 11/6/27 11,645 19/1/29 13,344 2/9/22 6,726 5/4/24 6,701 14/11/25 8,844 18/6/27 11,366 26/1/29 13,740 9/9/22 6,743 12/4/24 6,731 21/11/25 9,023 25/6/27 11,794 2/2/29 14,081 16/9/22 6,687 19/4/24 6,503 28/11/25 9,058 2/7/27 11,711 9/2/29 14,229 23/9/22 6,753 26/4/24 6,490 5/12/25 8,824 9/7/27 11,700 16/2/29 14,470 30/9/22 6,715 3/5/24 6,559 12/12/25 8,832 16/7/27 11,744 23/2/29 14,544 7/10/22 6,724 10/5/24 6,472 19/12/25 8,853 23/7/27 11,707 2/3/29 14,475 14/10/22 6,575 17/5/24 6,477 26/12/25 6,911 30/7/27 11,742 9/3/29 14,295 21/10/22 6,547 24/5/24 6,501 6/8/27 11,939 16/3/29 14,251 28/10/22 6,513 31/5/24 6,521 2/1/26 6,590 13/8/27 11,936 23/3/29 14,111 4/11/22 6,454 7/6/24 6,492 9/1/26 7,871 20/8/27 11,786 30/3/29 13,694

H.—LIB.

TABLE III.—SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS IN EMPLOYMENT IN NEW ZEALAND, 1926 AND 1927. Table showing the Number of Wage-earning Employees (excluding Working Proprietors, Managers, Overseers, Accountants, Clerks) engaged on the 15th or nearest representative Day each Month of the Calendar Years 1926 and 1927, in (a) the Meat-freezing, Ham and Bacon-curing, Butterand Cheese-making, Sausage-casing, Wool-scouring and Fellmongery and Boiling-down Industries; (b) the other Manufacturing Industries; (c) in all Manufacturing Industries; (d) the Building Industry.

TABLE IV.—SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS IN EMPLOYMENT IN NEW ZEALAND, 1926 and 1927. Table showing Relative Numbers computed from the Number of Wage-earning Employees shown in Table III, the Mean for the Twenty-four Months being taken as the Base (100) for each Series.

5—H. 118.

27

Manufacturing Industries. Month. Meat-freezing Ham other Tnd cSe " c Totel Building Industry. Industries. Industries. : (a) (j>) (<•) L w 1926. January .. .. .. .. i 10,349 43,437 53,786 9,126 February .. .. .. .. 10,947 43,800 54,747 9,289 March .. .. .. ..J 10,805 43,768 54,573 9,231 April.. .. .. .. .. 10,282 43,462 53,744 9,279 May.. .. .. .. .. 8,995 43,104 52,099 9,368 June.. .. .. .. | 6,805 42,794 49,599 9,155 July.. .. .. .. .. 5,495 42,752 48,247 8,937 August .. .. .. .. 5,088 42,828 47,916 9,005 September .. .. .. .. 5,620 43,433 49,053 9,348 October .. .. .. .. 6,023 43,548 49,571 9,228 November .. .. .. .. 6,782 43,923 50,705 9,330 December .. .. .. .. 9,150 44,165 53,315 9,178 1927. January .. .. .. .. 10,690 45,974 56,664 9,060 February .. .. .. .. 10,868 46,219 57,087 8,896 March .. .. .. .. 10,830 46,448 57,278 8,748 April.. .. .. .. | 10,063 45,879 55,942 9,283 May.. .. .. .. .. ! 9,003 45,391 54,394 9,159 June.. .. .. .. .. 7,184 44,998 52,182 8,736 July.. .. .. .. .. | 5,452 45,137 50,589 8,530 August .. .. .. .. ! 5,267 45,165 50,432 8,600 September .. .. .. .. 5,792 45,676 51,468 8,889 October .. .. .. .. 6,144 46,057 52,201 8,850 November .. .. .. : 6,912 46,328 53,240 9,115 December .. .. .. .. 9,433 46,351 55,784 9,075 Mean for twenty-four months .. 8,082 44,610 52,692 9,059 i

[N.B. —A relative number of 108 represents an increase of 8 per cent, above the mean, while 92 represents a decrease of 8 per cent. Due cognizance must be taken of the fact that the fluctuations are expressed relatively and that the percentage ratios represent vastly different absolute numbers. A difference of 1 per cent, in column (a) represents 81 wage-earners, in column (b) 446 wage-earners, in column (c) 527 wage-earners, and in column (d) 91 wage-earners.] Manufacturing Industries. Meat-freezing, Ham Month. and Bacon, Butter Other and Cheese, Manufacturing Total. Building Industry. Sausage-casing, &c., Industries. Industries. ] (o) !_ w ; r ■ ■■■ : on , i Mean for twenty-four months, 1926 and 100 100 100 100 1927 1926. January .. .. .. .. 128 97 102 101 February .. .. .. .. 135 98 104 103 March .. .. .. .. 134 98 104 102 April .. .. .. .. 127 97 102 102 May.. .. .. .. .. Ill 97 99 103 June .. .. .. 84 96 94 101 July .. .. . . .. .. 68 96 92 99 August ........ 63 96 91 99 September .. .. .. .. 70 97 93 103 October .. .. .. .. 75 98 94 102 November .. .. .. .. 84 98 96 103 December .. .. .. .. 113 99 101 101 1927. January .. .. .. .. 132 103 108 100 February .. .. .. .. 134 104 108 98 March . . 134 104 109 97 April.. .. .. .. •• 125 103 106 102 May.. .. .. .. Ill 102 103 101 June 89 101 99 ! 96 July.. ........ 67 101 96 94 August .. .. . . .. 65 101 96 95 September .. .. .. .. 72 102 98 98 October .. .. .. . ■ 76 103 99 98 November .. .. .. .. 86 104 101 101 December .. .. .. .. 117 : 104 106 100 1 | '■

H.—llß

28

TABLE V.—SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS IN EMPLOYMENT IN NEW ZEALAND, 1920 AND 1927. Table showing the Number of Wage-earning Employees (excluding Working Proprietors, Managers, Overseers, Accountants, Clerks) engaged on the 15th or nearest representative Day each Month of the Calendar Years 1926 and 1927 in (a) all Manufacturing Industries, (b) the Building Industry, (c) the Manufacturing and Building Industries combined, (d) the Daily Average Number of Wageearners engaged by the Public Works Department each Month during the same Perious, and (e) the Total of the Three Classes.

TABLE VI.—SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS IN EMPLOYMENT IN NEW ZEALAND, 1926 AND 1927. Table showing Relative Numbers computed from the Number of Wage-earning Employees shown in Table V, the Mean for the Twenty-four Months being taken as the Base (100) for each Series. [N.B. —A relative number of 108 represents an increase of 8 per cent, above the mean, while 92 represents a decrease of 8 per cent. Due cognizance must be taken of the fact that the fluctuations are expressed relatively, and that the percentage ratios represent vastly different absolute numbers. A difference of .1 per cent, in column (a) represents 527 wage-earners, in column (b) 91 wage-earners, in column (c) 618 wage-earners, in column (d) 77 wage-earners, and in column (e) 694 wage-earners.]

Manufacturing Building nv»f»i Public Works Tntnl Month. Industries. Industry. * ; Department. (a) ! W (e) 1 ffl I (0 1920. January .. .. .. 53,786 9,126 62,912 6,444 69,356 February .. .. 54,747 9,289 i 64,036 6,634 70,670 March.. .. .. .. 54,573 9,231 63,804 6,735 70,539 April .. .. .. .. 53,744 9,279 63,023 7,021 70,044 May .. .. .. .. 52,099 9,368 61,467 6,950 68,417 June .. .. .. .. 49,599 9,155 58,754 7,467 66,221 July .. .. .. .. 48,247 8,937 57,184 7,628 64,812 August .. .. .. 47,916 9,005 56,921 7,613 64,534 September .. ... 49,053 9,348 58,401 7,730 66,131 October .. .. .. 49,571 9,228 58,799 7,863 66,662 November .. .. .. 50,705 9,330 60,035 7,911 67,946 December .. .. .. 53,315 9,178 62,493 j 7,367 j 69,860 1927. January .. .. .. 56,664 9,060 65,724 6,870 72,594 February .. .. ... 57,087 8,896 65,983 7,276 73,259 March.. .. .. .. 57,278 8,748 66,026 7,389 73,415 April .. .. .. .. 55,942 9,283 65,225 7,939 73,164 May .. .. .. .. 54,394 9,159 63,553 7,958 71,511 June .. .. .. .. 52,182 8,736 60,918 i 8,539 69,457 July .. .. .. .. 50,589 8,530 59,119 8,759 67,878 August .. .. .. 50.432 8,600 59,032 ! 8,944 67,976 September .. .. .. 51,468 8,889 60,357 8,759 69,116 October .. .. .. 52,201 8,850 61,051 1 8,456 69,507 November .. .. .. 53,240 9,115 62,355 8,165 70,520 December .. .. .. 55,784 9,075 64,859 i 7,584 72,443 ; I Mean for twenty-four months .. 52,692 9,059 61,751 7,667 69,418

; Manufacturing Building Tntni Public Works m n . Ql Month. , Industries. Industry. | ; Department. 1# (a) (&)_ ' <«) W I Mean for twenty-four months, 1920 100 100 100 100 100 and 1927 .. ! ! *■ 1926. January .. .. .. 102 101 102 84 100 February .. .. .. 104 10.1 104 87 102 March.. .. .. .. 104 102 103 88 102 April .. .. .. .. 102 102 : 102 92 101 May .. .. .. . . 99 103 100 91 99 June .. .. .. .. 94 101 ! 95 97 95 July ........ 92 99 93 99 93 August ...... 91 99 92 99 93 September .. .. .. 93 103 95 101 95 October .. .. .. 94 102 95 103 96 November .. .. .. 96 103 97 103 98 December .. .. .. 101 101 101 96 101 1927. January .. .. .. 108 100 106 90 105 February .. .. .. 108 98 107 95 106 March.. .. .. .. 109 97 107 96 106 April .. .. .. .. 106 102 107 104 105 May .. .. .. .. 103 101 103 104 103 June .. .. .. .. 99 96 99 111 100 July ........ 96 94 96 114 98 August ...... 96 95 96 117 98 September ...... 98 98 98 114 100 October .. .. .. 99 98 99 110 100 November .. .. .. 101 101 101 106 102 December .. .. .. 106 100 105 99 104

29

H.—llB

VII.—SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS IN EMPLOYMENT. Explanatory Note. In interpreting the preceding Tables 111, IV, V, VI, and Graphs C and D, illustrating the extent and incidence of seasonal fluctuations in employment in the Dominion during the calendar years 1926 and 1927, the following remarks are to be borne in mind :— Scope op Data. The Tables 111, IV, V, and VI and the Graphs 0 and D herewith are based upon employment in (a) the manufacturing industries, (b) the building industry, (c) the Public Works Department. In the case of (a) and (b) the statistics relate to wage-earning employees (i.e., actual factory hands, &c.) and are exclusive of working proprietors, managers, overseers, accountants, and clerks. The figures for (c) Public Works Department cover tradesmen and labourers employed by the Department. The investigation has been limited to the above groups owing to the absence of data relating to employment in the other branches of industry and commerce. According to the 1926 census there were in April of that year, roughly speaking, 240,000 wage-earners in the Dominion. These have been classified under the following headings : — „ „„ Number of Wage-earners UIOU P- (nearest Thousand). Agricultural and pastoral .. .. .. .. .. .. 44 Manufacturing .. .. .. .. .. .. 74 Transport and communication .. .. .. .. 35 Commerce .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 32 Building and construction .. .. .. .. .. 16 Mines and quarrying .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 Forest occupations ..» .. .. .. .. .. 4 Sport and entertainment .. .. .. .. .. 2 Personal and domestic .. .. .. .. .. 6 Labourers .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 239 The information relating to the manufacturing industries is restricted to those set out on the list given at end of this note. It covers only those establishments which have at least two persons engaged or use motive power. That bearing upon the building industry is restricted to the establishments of the same size, and is exclusive of building operations carried on by the General Government. The numbers given for the manufacturing and building industries represent the numbers of wage-earners employed on the fifteenth or nearest representative day each month, whereas those for the Public Works Department represent the daily average for each month (i.e., 6 workmen engaged for J day=3). Treatment oe Figures. Owing to the wide differences between the numbers of persons engaged in the three groups of industries dealt with it has been necessary to employ what are known as " relative numbers " in order to make intelligent comparisons between the figures. The principle of "relative numbers" is the expression, in terms of percentage ratios, of the different classes constituting statistical series, the crude figures for which are, owing to difference in character or magnitude, difficult of comparison. The base adopted in arriving at the figures from which the curves on the attached graphs have been plotted has been the arithmetic mean for the twenty-four months in each case. A number of 108 represents an increase of 8 per cent, above the mean, while 92 represents a decrease of 8 per cent. It should be carefully borne in mind that the comparisons are based on the percentage relationship between each figure and the mean, and that the percentage differences represent different numbers of workmen. * Industries covered. The manufacturing industries included in the tables comprise the following : — Animal food — Books and publications— Meat freezing and preserving. Printing, publishing, and bookbinding. Ham and bacon curing. Musical instruments— Fish curing and preserving. Piano, &c., making and repairing. Butter, cheese, and condensed-milk manufacture. Ornaments and minor art products— Vegetable food— Picture-frame making. Grain-milling. Basket, perambulator, &c., making. Biscuit and confectionery making. Equipment for sports and games — Fruit-preserving and jam-making. Billiard-table making. Sugar-refining. Designs, medals, type and dies— Baking-powder manufacture. Engraving and stamp-making. Drinks, narcotics, and stimulants — Ammunition and explosives— Brewing and malting. Ammunition, explosives, and fireworks making. Colonial-wine making. Machines, tools, and implements— Aerated-water manufacture. Agricultural-machinery making. Coffee and spice grinding and preparing. Brush and broom making. Tobacco-preparing and cigarette-making. Carriage and vehicles— Sauce, piekle, and vinegar making. Coachbuilding. Animal matters (not otherwise classed) — Motor and cycle engineering. Soap and candle making. Harness, saddlery, and leatherware — Glue-manufacture. Saddlery and harness making. Sausage-casing manufacture. Leather-goods making. Boiling-down and manure-making. Tanning. Working in wood— Fellmongery and wool-scouring. Coopering and casemaking. Ships, boats, and their equipment— Sawmilling, sash and door making. Ship and boat building. Woodware and joinery manufacture. Sail, tent, and oilskin making. Vegetable produce for fodder— House-furnishings— Grain-crushing. Furniture and eabinetmaking. Paper-manufacturers — Blindmaking. Paper-milling. Mattress-making. Paper bag and box making. Rug and mat making. Heat, light, and power — Chemicals and by-products— •Gas making and supply. Ink-manufacture. Electricity generation and supply. Starch-manufacture. Electric tramways. Chemicals-manufacture. Processes relating to stone, clay, glass, &e. — Paint and varnish manufacture. Lime crushing or burning and cementmaking. Sheep-dip manufacture. Brick, tile, and pottery ma,king. Match-manufacture. Leadlight-making and glass-bevelling. Boot-polish manufacture. Electroplating. Patent medicines and preparations manufacture. Pumice-insulation making. Textile fabrics — Concrete block. or pipe and fibrous-plaster making. Woollen-milling. Metals other than gold or silver— Flock-milling. Tinned-plate and sheet-metal working. Apparel— Iron and brass founding. Boot and shoe making. Engineering. Hosiery-making. Electrical engineering. Umbrella-making. Rangemaking. Clothing and waterproof making. Wireworking. Fibrous materials — Iron-smelting. Rope and twine making. Precious metals— Bag and sack making. Jewellery and watchmaking. Flax-milling. Miscellaneous.

H.—llß.

TABLE VIII.—OCCUPATIONS BY DISTRICTS. Number on the Unemployed Registers for each Occupation by Districts on 8h July, 1929.

TABLE IX.—UNEMPLOYED: AGE-DISTRIBUTION. Number on Unemployed Registers on 8h July, 1929, classified according to Age, Conjugal Condition, and Duration of Unemployment during the previous Six Months.

30

I ' I I I ! I 6 ! • ! ] I pd ' ! 2 fj : • i d I m •~ l . § 0 Occupation. § j "§ I *3 | 5 ! w> j 3 g j * £ I "£ q § I g £ g I I ! | 1 1 | I 1 I I ■! t |I I 1 I 1 1 g 3 dli® S ~ ! «3 .2 c3 0> ► =3 O IH .S o ; o o : ( g 0 : h O A H _ j Bakers and pastrycooks .. 2 1 4 2;.. .. 1 10 Blacksmiths .. .. 85 9 7 j .. .. 2 2 2 3 38 Boilermakers .. .. 2 5 .. .. j 7 Boot operatives .. .. 8 4 6 .. j .. j 18 Bricklayers .. .. 62 4 1 .. i 1 .. •• 1 1 1 6 23 Butchers .. .. 4 3 8 2 j .. 1 .. 5 .. j .. I 2 4 30 Caretakers and liftmen .. 9 1 . . 3 j < 1 14 Carpenters and joiners .. 37 20 12 9 j .. 4 1 3 1 1 3 9 19 119 Chainmen .. ' 1 1 Clerical 0 workers .. .. 27 16 11 2 j .. 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 66 Coach-workers .. .. .. 1 3 .. 1 • • 5 Confectioners .. .. 2.. 4 1 7 Cordial-factory workers .. 1, j 1 Dairy-factory workers . . 11 . . 1 .. . . 2 4 Drivers .. .. .. 61 8 36 20 1 1 9 3.. 6 1 3.. 2.. 6 157 Electrical workers .. 3 2 4 .. 1 .. 1 .. 2 . . .. 13 Engine-drivers .. . . 8 3 4 2,1 . . 5 1 .. 2 .. 2 ] .. 6 34 Engineers — Fitters and turners .. 14 7 8 3.... 3 1 2 2 2 .... 1 1 2 1 47 Platelayers .. . . 2 1 . . . . 1 4 Toolsmiths .. . . 1 1 Farm hands .. .. 36 5 44 10 .. 3 6 10 8 2 .. 12 3 5 6 23 173 Furniture-trade employees 2 1 1 1 5 Gardeners .. . . 16 3 18 5 1 2 3 2 1 . . .... .. 51 Grocers' assistants .. 84 8 1 .. 1 .. .. 1 .. .. 1 3 27 Hairdressers' assistants .. 1 1 2 Hat-factory workers .. j 3 1 .. . . 4 Hotel workers and cooks .. 38 12 28 5 2 2 3 . . • . 1 1 . . 2 94 Labourers .. .. 755 312 371 157 42 24 117 125 46 28 64 25 48 11 110 44 175 2454 Married couple .. .. j 1 1 Mechanics — Cycle and motor . . 35 6 5 .. 1 1 .. .. 1 .. 3 .. 2 27 Dental .. 1 . . 1 Message-boys .. .. I 2 . . 1 j .. . . 3 Metal-workers .. ..I 3 3 .. 2 ! 8 Miners .. .. .. 11 5 2 4 2 .. .. 1 1 26 Moulders—Iron and brass . . 1 .. 6 2 2 11 Painters and glaziers . . 17 8 7 6 1 4 3.. 3 2 2 .... 3 1 2 j 59 Plasterers .. .. 14 3 1 8 Plumbers . . . . j 7 4 2 1 14 Printing-trade employees .. 2 2 2 .. 1 .. .. | 1 8 Quarrymen .. . . 5 .. .. 5 .. .. 1 3 14 Riggers .. .. 3 1 1 . . , 5 Saddlers .. .. 3.. 2 1 6 Seamen and firemen . . 15 21 .. 2 . . .. 1 2 I . . 1 .. 1 43 Shop assistants and salesmen 10 5 2 4 .. .. 1 1 .. 1 1 1 .. 26 Stonemasons .. .. 1 1 .. 1 1 .. 4 Storemen and packers . . 26 9 8 5 .. 1 . . 3 1 j 1 . . 1 . . 3 58 Tailoring-trade employees .. 3 1 .. 1 5 Timber-workers .. . . 13 .. 3 1 .. 1 .... .. 5 23 Tinsmiths .. .. 2 1 1 4 Umbrella .. . . :■ 1 .. .. 1 Warehousemen . . .. 5 . . 1 ! 6 Watchmakers and jewellers 1 1 Other .. .. .. 15 .. 5 1 .. 1 27 3 8 .. 1 1 .. 54 . . . . 9 125 Total .. .. 1205 487 633 269 48 j 37 188 161 76 46 86 44 62 , 67 137 68 161 3896 1 1 I J j |

Single. ! Married. Age; Duration of Unemployment during preceding Six Months. Total. Under 6 Weeks, (i Weeks and over. Under 6 Weeks. 0 Weeksandover Under 25 .. .. .. 230 495 31 106 868 25-44 .. .. .. .. 208 420 362 820 1,810 45-64 .. .. .. .. 81 248 205 544 i 1,078 65 and over ........ 2 19 9 27 I 57 Unspecified .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. I 83 Totals .. .. 527 1,182 607 1,497 j 3,896 ! J |

H.—llß.

TABLE X.—UNEMPLOYED: DEPENDENCY. Number on Unemployed Registers on 8h July, 1929, classified according to Dependency, Conjugal Condition, and Duration of Unemployment during past Six Months.

TABLE XI.—UNEMPLOYED: BIRTHPLACE AND LENGTH OF RESIDENCE. Number on Unemployed Registers on 8h July, 1929, classified according to Length of Residence, Conjugal Condition, and Duration of Unemployment during past Six Months.

TABLE XII.—UNEMPLOYED: FIT FOR HEAVY AND LIGHT WORK. Number on Unemployed Registers on 8th July, 1929, classified according to Age and Fitness tor Heavy or Light Work.

TABLE XIII.—UNEMPLOYED: PERIOD ON UNEMPLOYED REGISTERS. Number on Unemployed Registers on 8th July, 1929, classified according to Age and Period on Register.

31

Single. I Married. 1 Number of Dependants. Duration o{ Unemployment during preceding Six Months. Total. Under 6 Weeks. 6 Weeks and over. Under 6 Weeks, je Weeks and over. 0 .. .. .. .. .. ] 446 974 11 35 1,466 1 .. .. .. .. ..I 43 107 111 297 558 2 .. . . .. .. | 22 69 162 384 637 3 .. .. .. .. 7 19 I 138 347 511 4 .. . . . . .. 4 5 93 224 326 5 and over .. . . .. . . 5 8 92 210 315 Unspecified . . . . .. .. .. .. .. . . 83 Totals .. .. .. 527 1,182 j 607 1,497 3,896 I ; i

Single. Married. Length of Residence. Duration of Unemployment during preceding Six Months. Total. Under 6 Weeks. 6 Weeks and over. U rider Weeks. 6 Weeks and over. New-Zealand-born . . . . . . ! 340 719 ! 389 835 2,289 Under 6 months ...... 14 16 4 12 4(S 6 months but under 12 months .. 4 12 1 10 , 27 1 year but under 2 years .. .. 9 19 9 20 I 57 2 years and over .. .. .. 154 416 j 204 620 j 1,394 Unspecified .. .. .. .. .. .. j .. .. j 83 Totals .. .. .. 527 1,182 607 1,497 3,896

Single. Married. Ages. i j Total. Fit for Fit for Light j Fit for i Fit for Light Heavy Work. , Work only. J Heavy Work, j Work oniy. - Under 25 .. . ■ . ■ 681 50 132 5 868 25-14 .. .. .. .. 577 51 1,077 105 1,810 45-64 .. .. .. .. 264 65 637 112 1,078 65 and oyer .. .. .. .. 14 7 16 20 57 Unspecified .. .. .. .. .. . . .. i . . 83 Totals .. .. .. 1,536 173 1,862 j 242 3,896

Single. Married. Ages. I Total Under ;■ 3 but under 12 Months Under 3 but under 12 Months 3 Months. | 12 Months. or over. 3 Months. 12 Months. ; and over. Under 25 .. .. 523 146 (32 87 25 25 868 25-44 .. .. .. 437 131 60 762 235 185 1 810 45-64 .. .. .. 199 65 65 437 179 133 l',078 65 and over .... 14 6 1 18 10 8 57 Unspecified .. .. . . . . . . . . .. . . 83 Totals .. .. 1,173 348 188 1,304 449 j 351 3,896

H.-118.

TABLE XIV. —UNEMPLOYED: DURATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT. Number on Unemployed Register on 8th July, 1929, classified according to Duration of Unemployment during the Six Months previous to Application, Conjugal Condition, and Age.

TABLE XV.—UNEMPLOYED RELIEF WORKS: AGE-DISTRIBUTION. Number on Relief Works on 9th July, 1928, classified according to Age and Conjugal Condition and Duration of Unemployment during the six Months previous to Application.

TABLE XVI. —UNEMPLOYED: DEPENDENCY. Number on Relief Works on 9th July, 1928, classified according to Dependency, Conjugal Condition, and Duration or Unemployment during the Six Months previous to Application.

32

(Note. —Where the duration has been given in months, a month has been taken as four weeks.) Single. Married. Single and Married together. Duration of 1 ; j r —r j t Unemployment Under 26 to 45 to 65 and ... , Under 25 to i 45 to 65 and T „ t „. Under 25 to i 45 to ;65 anil ... .. . 25. 44. 64. over. I0M - 25. 44. j 04. over. ±ota1 ' 25. 44. ! 64. j over. i0Ia1 ' 2 weeks and under 86 57 21 2 166 10 110 46 1 167 96 167 67 3 333 2 to 4 weeks . . 106 97 40 1 244 16 140 89 I 246 122 237 129 2 490 4 „ 6 „ 66 72 34 2 174 10 137 60 5 212 76 209 94 7 386 6 „ 8 „ .. 83 68 21 2 174 23 100 58 2 183 106 168 79 4 357 8 „ 10 „ .. 52 42 25 1 120 9 108 71 2 190 61 150 96 3 310 10 „ 12 „ .. 73 52 31 2 158 8 115 52 2 177 81 167 83 4 335 12 „ 14 „ .. 50 51 30 1 132 16 90 66 1 173 66 141 96 2 305 14 „ 16 ,, .. 31 34 18 83 7 57 44 3 111 38 91 62 3 194 16 „ 18 „ .. 40 37 25 2 104 11 64 33 1 109 51 101 58 3 213 18 20 „ .. 28 20 15 63 4 44 39 1 88 32 64 54 1 151 20 „ 22 ,. 18 10 8 2 38 5 26 16 3 50 23 36 24 5 88 22 „ 24 „ 17 21 7 1 46 24 21 2 47 17 45 28 3 93 24 „ 26 „ . . 73 71 60 6 210 18 126 127 10 281 91 197 187 16 491 Unspecified .. .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 150 Totals .. 723 632 335 22 1,712 137 1,141 722 34 2,034 860 1,773 1,057 56 3,896

Single. Married. Age. Duration of Unemployment during preceding Six Months. Total. Under (i Weeks, j 6W^ r sand Under 6 Weeks. 8 We 0 f e s r and Under 25 .. .. .. .. 49 352 18 7S 497 25-44 .. .. .. .. I 57 403 99 790 1,349 45-64 .. .. .. : 12 240 73 550 875 65 and over .. .. .. .. 10 2 16 28 Unspecified .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,173 Totals .. .. .. 118 | 1,005 192 1,434 3,922

Single. i Married. I Number of Dependants. Duration of Unemployment during preceding Six Months. Total. Under t) WcekB. 6 W^. and I Under a Weeks. 6 W^_ and 0 .. .. .. .. .. 95 759 5 1 44 903 1 .. . . .. .. .. 8 126 26 261 421 2 .. .. .. .. 9 77 41 371 498 3 .. .. .. .. .. 2 25 42 318 387 4 .. .. .. .. 2 12 33 j 200 247 5 and over .. .. . . . . 2 6 45 240 293 Unspecified .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ! .. 1,173 Totals .. .. .. 118 1,005 192 j 1,434 3,922

33

H.—llB

TABLE XVII.—UNEMPLOYED: BIRTHPLACE AND LENGTH OF RESIDENCE. Number on Relief Works on 9th July, 1928, classified according to Length of Residence, Conjugal Condition, and Duration of Unemployment during the Six Months previous to Application.

TABLE XVIII.—UNEMPLOYED: FIT FOR HEAVY AND LIGHT WORK. Number on Relief Works on 9th July, 1928, classified according to Age and Fitness for Work, Heavy or Light.

TABLE XIX.—UNEMPLOYED: PERIOD ON UNEMPLOYED REGISTERS. Number on Relief Works on 9th July, 1928, classified according to Age and Period on Register.

Single. | Married. Length of Residence. Duration of Unemployment during preceding Six Months. Total. Under 6 Weeks. 6 W^. and Under 6 Weeks. 6 W 0 e °£ and j New-Zealand-born .. .. .. 73 592 115 820 1,609 Under 6 months ...... j 5 21 1 7 34 6 months but under 12 months .. .. 14 .. 7 21 1 year but under 2 years .... 3 31 3 32 69 2 years and over .. .. .. 37 347 73 559 1,016 Unspecified .. .. .. . . . . .. .. .. 1,173 Totals .. .. .. .118 1,005 192, | 1,434 3,922

Single. Married. Ages. I Total. Fit for Heavy Fit for Light Fit for Heavy | Fit for Light | Work. Work only. Work. | Work only. Under 25 .. .. .. 384 17 94 2 497 25-44 .. .. .. .. 446 14 867 22 1,349 45-64 .. .. .. .. 237 15 588 35 875 65 and over ...... 10 .. 17 1 28 Unspecified .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,173 Totals .. .. .. 1,077 46 1,566 60 j 3,922

Single. Married. A " 6S ' ! Under and unto 12 Months Under ! 12 Months T0W ' j 3 Month8 ' 12 Months. and over. , 3 Months. ia Months. j and over - Under 25 .. .. .. 300 91 10 6G 29 1 497 25-44.. .. .. .. 296 150 14 573 295 21 1,349 45-04.. .. .. .. 128 117 7 | 350 251 22 875 65 and over .. .. 4 6 .. 5 12 1 28 Unspecified .. .. .. .. j .. .. j .. .. .. 1,173 Totals .. .. ! 728 j 364 31 994 j 587 45 3,922 I j I |

H. —118.

TABLE XX.—UNEMPLOYED: OCCUPATIONS BY OCCUPATIONS ON LEAVING SCHOOL. Applicants under Twenty-five Years of Age on Unemployed Registers on 26th July, 1929: Present Occupation shown in conjunction with Occupation followed immediately after leaving School.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (2,800 copies, including graphs), £105.

By Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 929.

Price Is. 3d.\

34

Occupation immediately after leaving School stated as (a) Oases or similar (ft) Caseg followlng alfIerent occupations now. Present Occupation given as 5 S si . s si g a I si 1 •Sh . 1 u o ® _• . 3 " ' ! o op 05 >i!. oc hrt <33 • H ! H ' oO g fl-d £? fl M g 1] gee i g I S-d '8 o —5 £ o 'S £l r d p£ £ a g S -g -s £ a i « i * Pi <3 I O o3 c3 Oft «6 © JS 1> ° ! Hi I Q H PR O 3 co H O Baker .. .. .. 3 3 3 Blacksmith .. .. 1 1 1 Boot trade .. .. .. 3 .. .. .. .. 3 .. .. .. .. .. .. , .. 3 Brass-finishing .. .. 1 .. .. .. .. 1 . . .. .. . . .. .. .. 1 Butcher .. .. .. 8 .. .. .. .. 8 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Carpenter .. .. .. 4 .. .. .. .. 4 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Gheesemaker .. .. .. ' .. 1 .. 1 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Clerk .. .. 10 .. . . 10 1 . . 1 11 Coach-painter .. .. 1 1 1 Confectioner .. 3 3 3 Cooper .. .. . . 1' 1 1 Motor-driver .. .... 13 .. 5 2 20 7 1 2 2 3 .. 15 35 Dyeing and cleaning.. .. . . .. .. .. 1 1 . . .. .. .. . . .. .. 1 Electrical worker .. .. 5 .. .. .. .. 5 2 .. .. .. .. .. 2 7 Traction-engine driver 1 .. 1 1 Factory hand .. 3 3 3 Farm hand .. .. .. 5 .. 41 .. 46 6 1 .. 1 1 .. 9 55 Fitter and turner .. .. 5 5 5 Flaxmill hand .. .. .. 1 1 L j .. 1 2 Freezing-works .. .. .. 1 1 1 .. .. 1 2 Furniture trade .. .. 4 ... 4 .. .. I .. .. 4 Gardener .. .. .. j .. .. ! .. 3 .. 3 1 .. .. 1 1 .. 3 6 Glass-blower .. .. ] 1 1 Grocer's assistant .. 10 .. .. 10 1 1 11 Hairdresser (unskilled) .. .. 1 .. .. .. 1 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ] Hotel-worker .. .. .. 6 6 2 1 .. 2 8 Labourer .. .. .. .. 94 .. 50 .. 144 34 16 .. Ill 14 6 81 225 Mechanic .. .. .. 3 3 I 3 Message-boy .. .. .. 3 3 .. 3 Metal-worker's assistant .. 1 .. .. .. ..I 1 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Miner .. .. .. .. 2 2 2 Moulder .. .. .. 4 4 4 Painter .. .. .. 6 6 .. 6 Plumber .. .. .. 1 1 .. 1 Printing trade .. .. 4 .. . . .. .. 4 .. .. .. .. .. .. j 4 Rivetter .. .. .. 1 1 : .. 1 Saddler .. .. .. 1 1 1 Seamen .. .. .. .. 10 10 1 .. .. 1 11 Rigger .. .. 1 .. .. 1 1 Shop-assistant .. 15 .. .. 15 1 .. 1 16 Steward .. .. .. .. 1 1 2 .. .. 2 3 Storeman .. .. .. .. .. 9 .. .. 9 .. .. .. 1 .. .. 1 10 Tailoring trade .. .. 1 1 2 2 Timber worker .. .. .. 4 4 1 1 5 Toolsmith .. .. .. 1 I 1 Warehouseman .. 1 .. .. 1 1 Watchmaker and jeweller .. 1 .. .. .. .. 1 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Woollen trade .. .. I 1, I Never employed .. .. .. 5* 5 I 5 Other .. .. .. 2 3 .. .. .. j 5 .. .. .... .. .. .. 5 Totals .. .. 64 150 45 101 9 j 369 56 18 2 j 20 21 6 123 492 * No occupation.