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will play an important part in the future of tlie region. A number of Dunedin firms have decentralized to this district. Secondary industries already established include woollen-mills and clothing-factories, engineering and metal working industries, and grain and flour milling. Freezing-works at Pukeuri require a seasonal influx of 150-200 men. Vacancies for male labour fell from 52 in April, 1946, to 27 in September, 1946, but increased again to 70 in March, 1947. Female vacancies decreased from 80 in April, 1946, to 58 in November, 1946, and rose to 103 by tbe end of March, 1947. Many of the male vacancies listed during the year covered farming operations, particularly general farm hands, tractor-drivers, oowman-gardeners, and shearers. On 31st March, 1947, farming vacancies numbered 24 (19 on mixed farms and son sheep-runs), and included 13 requiring experienced farm hands. The building and construction industry has been fully occupied coping with a large number of ■contracts on hand. Notified vacancies have not, however, been large over the period; they totalled 16 on 31st March, 1947 (10 for tradesmen and 6 for unskilled men). This district has considerable deposits of " Oamaru " stone, which is easily shaped and sawn and lends itself not only to house •construction, but also to the erection of buildings suitable for industrial purposes. At the peak of the season, in March, 1947, when two chains were fully occupied, no shortage of labour was experienced at the Pukeuri works. During the off-season many of the freezing-workers returned to farms, while no difficulty arose in finding employment for the balance of the seasonal ■employees. The main vacancies for females on 31st March, 1947, were 50 in the woollen-mills, 23 in clothingfactories, 12 in the Railway refreshment-rooms, and 6 in hotels and catering establishments. Dunedin District (Estimated male labour force, 37,000) 143. Apart from the numerous employment opportunities available in the wide range of industrial undertakings centering mainly around the Dunedin urban area, this district also includes extensive pastoral, fruit, and mixed farming areas in Central and South Otago. Shortages of labour were, however, largely confined to secondary and servicing industries. Notified requirements for labour in the primary industries remained at a very low level throughout the past twelve months and male vacancies in farming for the whole of the district did not exceed 20 at any period during the year. Tradesmen and other skilled men, skilled and unskilled female workers, together with both male and female juveniles, were in considerable demand by most industries in the urban area. Vacancies for unskilled male labour varied with the rise and fall in activity in the seasonal industries ; on Ist April, 1946, these totalled 284, fell off to only 66 by 31st July, 1946, but later climbed to 414 by 31st March, 1947. During the winter months the numbers enrolled for employment reached a peak of 33 males and 1 female on 31st July, 1946. By the end of March, 1947, however, the numbers were down, only 5 males and 3 females being enrolled as seeking employment. A number of firms, notably those engaged in •clothing and other textile manufacture, have successfully proceeded with the decentralization of a portion of their activities to smaller towns. From latest indications it seems, however, that many of these previously untapped sources of unskilled female labour have now been fully absorbed. 144. Male notified vacancies increased from a total of 678 on Ist April, 1946, to 1,082 by 31st March, 1947. Vacancies requiring skilled male workers rose from 303 at Ist April, 1946, to 533 by 30th September, 1946, but fell to 404 at 31st March, 1947. Demands for male juvenile employees mounted steadily from 91 to 264. Female notified vacancies showed a rise of 386 from 1,432 at Ist April, 1946, to 1,818 by 31st March, 1947. Vacancies requiring unskilled female workers showed only a small rise from 726 to 739 in the twelve months, while those specifying skilled workers totalled 317 at Ist April, 1946, reached a peak of 501 at 31st January, 1947, and then fell to 394 by 31st March, 1947. 145. The position in some of the larger industries is now commented upon Engineering Industry.—Male vacancies in all engineering establishments doubled from 132 at Ist April, 1946, to 264 at 31st March, 1947. Current vacancies included 146 for skilled men, 82 for unskilled workers, and 36 for juveniles. All classes of engineering tradesmen are in demand, with a serious shortage of floor-moulders particularly in evidence. To a lesser degree fit unskilled men are also required as foundry labourers, while youths are being sought as apprentices.

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