H.—lla

54

Bakeries. —This is a section of industry which on certain occasions in particular localities lias presented a serious man-power problem. The total labour force of the industry is 1,535, of which number 1,039 are journeymen and 496 are others. There are 44 vacancies at the present time. Generally, the trade is understaffed for apprentices, journeymen, and labourers. During the war years the Department has found it most difficult to man the 500-odd bakeries of the Dominion. There has been a progressive increase in the output from bakeries, due mainly to the presence of large forces of servicemen. During the fifteen months ended 31st March, 1945, the industry lost a total of 310 workers, of which number 183 transferred to other industries and the balance of 127 entered the Forces. During the same fifteen months the industry gained by direction, voluntary engagement, and return of ex-servicemen a total of 408. In other words, the labour force of the industry has been more than held during the last fifteen months. A total of 217 Category "A " men are still held under appeal in the industry. Notwithstanding the increase in personnel and the reservation of Category "A " men, most bakeries have been called upon to work a considerable amount of overtime during the last twelve months. The general man-power position in the industry can be expected to improve, but there is a necessity for the training of a greater number of apprentices. (xv) Food Processing and Canning 441. Already showing signs of considerable development before the war, this is an industry which has achieved a notable expansion during the war years. The presence of large numbers of New Zealand and Allied troops in camps in remote parts of the country and the necessity for despatching overseas to the Forces and to the United Kingdom large stocks of canned foods have combined to explain this expansion. Existing canneries have everywhere been expanded, but particularly in Auckland, Hastings, Nelson, Paeroa, Wellington, and Christchurch has there been dramatic expansion. 442. In Auckland the dehydration of vegetables and their canning, as well as the canning of meat products, has attained a record high level. The industry during the last twelve months in this district has seen a marked turnover of labour, 580 workers leaving it, as against 600 entering. Vacancies at the present time are in the neighbourhood of 40. 443. Although the vegetable-dehydration plant at Hastings may not continue to operate after the war, food-canning in this district has nevertheless received an impetus which is likely to be maintained. It is possible that an expansion of jam making and canning will be undertaken, and this will absorb the bulk of any staff released from dehydration plants. Considerable use has been made of part-time workers in this district. 444. In Paeroa the development of the " Loyeda " fish-paste processing and canning industry, and also the establishment of a mussel factory at Coromandel, has increased the seasonal demand for labour. Modest expansion in both these fields is expected. 445. In Wellington there has been an extension in the output of Karitanc Products, Ltd., and fish-oil manufacture has actually been developed to the point of providing oil for export. A considerable increase in the manufacture of margarine has taken place, and the post-war expansion of the bulk of the products of this undertaking is anticipated. 446. Vegetable-canning has always been an important aspect of Nelson's economic activity. In 1944 the Internal Marketing Department established a dehydration plant at Motueka. This employed about 35 males and over 50 females. The firm of Kirkpatrick and Co. in Nelson has experienced great increases in the demand for its products and has been hard-pressed to obtain necessary labour during the season. Volunteers, part-time workers, college girls, and W.A.A.F.s have all been called upon to assist. 447. In Christchurch, too, the establishment of a dehydration plant has resulted in a considerable increase in the processing aud canning of foodstuffs ; the engagement of considerable labour, especially during the season, has resulted. 448. The food processing and manufacturing industry lias been one that has, regardless of the war, steadily expanded. As the population of urban areas increases and new food preserving and canning techniques are developed, a further expansion in this field can be expected. SECTION XVI.—THE REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT POSITION AND OUTLOOK (i) Some General Observations 449. The problem of special areas (due to the advanced decline of industry) that exists in Wales has no counterpart in New Zealand. The west coast of the South Island, which conies nearest to being a special area in this sense, does not, on account of its small population and the mobility of its labour, present any irremediable employment problem. 450. Apart from the decline of small erstwhile gold and coal towns and the arrested development of small townships within close vehicular reach of larger towns, population, and hence industrial activity, has increased in varying degrees everywhere in New Zealand. 451. The population of the South Island both in urban areas and rural districts has steadily increased from 384,400 in 1901 to 563,700 in 1945. On the whole, during these forty years the rate of increase has favoured rural districts, although the larger towns have in no instance receded in population. 11l this Island the most striking development has been in the Southland area and in the City of Invercargill. This fertile area has witnessed an expansion during the present century comparable with that of Taranaki in the North Island, which in many respects it resembles.