H.—llB

10

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