H—ll

Incentive-bonus schemes are operating in a number of factories in Auckland City, and the interest in such schemes is evidenced by twenty-one new applications approved during the current year by the Wages Commissioner. Hamilton District This district covers one of the most closely settled farming areas in New Zealand and is noteworthy for the number of smaller towns which are developing. Some of the principal industries stem from this farming activity. At the height of their seasons, dairy factories require nearly 650 men and freezing-works more than 700. In the Huntly area, coal-mining absorbs about 1,650 men and brickworks approximately 100, while elsewhere sawmills, potteries, and lime, serpentine, and fertilizer works operate. Building and construction employs over 2,500 males and the engineering and metal-working group over 1,200. Nearly 1,000 staff are employed in the construction of the. hydroelectricity plant at Maraetai. Locally notified vacancies for male labour increased from 370 at 31st March, 1947, to 629 at 31st March, 1948, the greatest numbers now being required by coal-mining (73) and building and construction (161). The Eailways and Post and Telegraph Departments both require additional staff. Female vacancies at 31st March, 1948, totalled 96, compared with 133 at the end of the previous year: of these, 49 were required for hospital work. Taumarunui District Nearly 1,200 men in this district are engaged in bush sawmilling, coal-mining, and the transport industries (particularly Eailways). Building and construction and a very limited range of secondary industries provide most of the remaining avenues of employment for the male worker. Only limited avenues of employment are open to female workers and only about 550 women are recorded for this district in employment surveys of general industries and building and construction. The total of male notified vacancies at 31st March, 1948, was 134, including 55 skilled workers, as compared with 111 at 31st March, 1947. Bush sawmilling required 30 workers, including 20 skilled men. Female notified vacancies were 34, of which 14 were required for hospital work. Paeroa District Dairy and other farming and gold-mining are the chief primary industries in this district. Other extractive industries of importance are forestry, bush sawmilling, and quarrying. The main seasonal work is in dairy factories, which require at the peak of the season about 300 men. In the off season these employees are employed principally on farms. The most important secondary industries are the engineering' group, employing about 440 men, and building and construction, absorbing over 450. Secondary industry in Thames is expanding and the expansion is expected to continue. Female workers find employment mainly in hospitals, servicing industries, and in clothing, footwear, electrical, and toy manufacture. Lack of both accommodation and transport facilities are reported as affecting the full use of female labour in the district. Notified male vacancies rose from 92 at 31st March, 1947, to 114 at 31st March, 1948, including 74 skilled, 28 unskilled, and 12 juvenile. These vacancies were principally in the engineering and metals industry, which required 57 men, all skilled. As in all other districts, the Eailways and Post and Telegraph Departments require men. Goldmining at Waihi showed 8 vacancies. Female notified vacancies were 63, as compared with 60 at the 31st March, 1947. Clothing-manufacture showed 40 vacancies and hospitals 19.

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