H. —35.

which has changed little from the last to the present winter. It is possible that this winter's increase might have been greater had it not been for the increased employment found on relief and public works. A somewhat similar seasonal variation is shown in the trade-union figures, which are percentages of unemployed to total unionists in selected groups, covering about half the total unionists in the Dominion. Estimates are published for a mid-week in each quarter since November, 1925, and are as follows :—

Percentage Unemployed in Certain Trade-unions.

Though the table covers a short period only, it shows trade-union unemployment heavier in winter than in summer. It indicates also a marked increase in unemployment among unionists for 1927 as compared with 1926 ; but this is very largely due to big increases in the building and sawmilling groups, and is not general over all the groups covered. The next table shows the occupational distribution of applicants unplaced by Government labour bureaux at various periods : —

Government Bureaux: Applicants unplaced at Mid-week.

The table shows the preponderance of unskilled labourers, who constitute more than half the total at each period ; the seasonal variation between summer and winter; and indicates that the number of applicants unplaced in the various groups, excluding building, is little greater than it was a year ago. The occupational distribution of unemployed trade-unionists, given below in percentages, shows the range of unionists covered in greater detail.

Percentages of Unemployed in Various Trade-unions.

The details of this table throw considerable light on the unemployment situation. Unemployment is severe in the timber trades, in shipping (which excludes wharf labour) and general labour, amongst hotel, restaurant workers, &c., and metal-workers. It is fairly heavy for other manufactures, but much less than last year. For the remaining groups, excluding miscellaneous, it is about the same as a year ago, and is not severe and probably not very abnormal. Another important aspect of unemployment is its geographical distribution throughout the Dominion. The records of the Government bureaux have until recently been confined to sixteen leading towns, for which they are as follows : —

Government Bureaux: Unplaced Applicants at Mid-week.

The table indicates that town unemployment this winter is distributed roughly in proportion to population, though Dunedin has more than its share. Last winter and during the summer it appears to have been more severe in the North Island, and heaviest in Auckland. For the latest period —June, 1927 —it appears to be least acute in Christchurch.

163

Week in 1925. 1926. 1927. February .. .. .. .. 5-0 9'4 May .. .. .. .. 6-6 9-7 August .. .. .. .. 8-3 November .. .. 5-4 6-7

Industrial Group. June, 1926. December, 1926.1 June, 1927. I Unskilled.. .. ..! 1,299 620 1,378 Building .. .. .. 125 33 170 Farming, &c. .. .. j 124 94- 148 Mechanical * .. .. 160 116 155 Transport .. .. I 146 108 128 Other .. .. .. j 393 255 303 Totals .. .. j 2,247 1,226 2,282

May, 1926. i No ||™g ber ' May, 1927. I I".'' Sawmilling, &e. .. .. 7-0 ! 10'5 25'8 Shipping . .. .. ! 18-7 23-0 24-0 General labourers .. .. | ? ? 15-2 Building, &c. .. .. 6-8 j 8 0 11-1 Hotel, restaurants, &e. .. 5-8 4'9 9'4 Metal-workers .. .. 7-0 | 5-6 9-3 Other manufacturers .. 14-0 | 113 8-4 Clothing and drapery .. 4 6 4-8 4 2 Food, drink, &c. .. . . 3-2 1-8 3-2 Land transport .. .. 2-0 ! 2-2 2-9 Paper and printing .. 23 I 1-6 2-7 Mining .. . .. 1-5 I 3-5 2-6 Textiles .. .. .. 21 •• °' 9 Miscellaneous .. .. 10-5 j 11-5 8-2 Total .. .. 6-6 6-7 9-7 ■ I ' < . . t IV

I June, 1926. December, 1926. | June, 1927. Auckland .. .. ., 837 561 558 Wellington .. . . 313 253 494 Christchurch .. .. 262 178 339 Dunedin .. .. .. 203 116 424 Four chief towns .. 1,615 1,108 1,815 Twelve secondary towns 632 118 467 Total, sixteen towns 2,247 1,226 2,282