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6

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