H.—llß

21

The foregoing analysis dealt with the abnormal registrations in the peak week of 14th October, 1929. They represent an increase of 2,481 on the numbers registered on Bth July, 1929, the week for which the analysis given in our first report was prepared —6,377 in October as against 3,896 in July. It will be interesting, therefore, to compare the nature and character of the unemployed for these two weeks —the normal and the abnormal. 1. Occupations.—The proportion of labourers to total applicants declined from 65 per cent, in July to 54 per cent, in October. Despite the considerable increase in the total number of registrations, the number of farm hands registered dropped from 173 in July to 169 in October. 2. Age distribution.—

In October the proportion of men in the age-group 45-64 is higher than in July, with a coiresponding decrease in the proportion included in the age-group 25-44. On the whole, the distribution is, however, remarkably similar. 3. Dependency. —

The proportion of men with no dependants is slightly higher in October, while the proportion with three or four dependants is lower. 4. Birthplace. —The proportion of New-Zealand-born to total applicants was in July 60 per cent, and in October 59 per cent. 5. Fitness for Heavy or Light Work. —Only 11 per cent, of the men were in July fit for light work only, while in October this figure rose to 19 per cent. 6. Period on the Unemployment Registers.—The large increase in the number of registrations is reflected in this table, the class " Under three months " increasing from 2,477 in July to 4,534 in October ; the class " Three but under twelve months " from 797 to 987, while in the class " Twelve months and over " a decrease has been recorded from 539 in July to 522 in October. 7. Duration of Unemployment during Past Six Months. —

The proportion of men who have been out of work for a considerable length of time is higher in October than in July.

Age. July. ! October. Percentage of Total. Percentage of Total. Under 25 .. .. .. 23 24 25 to 44 .. .. .. 47 43 45 „ 64 .. .. .. 28 31 65 and over .... 2 2 Total .. .. 100 100

Number of Dependants. July. October. Percentage of Total. Percentage of Total. 0 . . . . 38 41 1 .. .. 15 16 2 .. .. 17 16 3 .. .. 13 12 4 9 7 5 8 8 Total .. 100 100

Total Duration of Unemployment during Past Six Months. July. October. Percentage of Total. Percentage of Total. Under 2 weeks .. .. .. .. 9 5 2 but under 4 weeks .. .. .. 13 7 4 „ 6 „ .. .. .. 10 9 6 „ 10 „ .. .. .. 18 17 10 „ 14 „ .. .. .. 17 18 14 „ 18 „ .. .. .. 11 15 18 „ 24 „ .. .. .. 9 12 24 weeks and over .. .. .. .. 13 17 Total .. .. .. .. 100 100