H—ll

The distribution of vacancies geographically was as follows :

Vacancies Recorded in Half-yearly Returns, October, 1948

|v The following table shows the incidence of the above vacancies to total surveyed labour force :

Vacancies Recorded in Half-yearly Returns, October, 1948, as Percentages of Labour Force Covered by Returns

Vacancies notified by employers to the National Employment Service for filling (as distinct from vacancies shown by all employers in their half-yearly returns) are set out in Table lof the Appendix to this report. These figures reflect approximately the same relative distribution over industry as those recorded in half-yearly returns. From them it will be seen that a majority of the vacancies occur in secondary industries. (5) Unemployment during the twelve months has continued at an insignificant figure. Disengaged persons enrolling for employment with the National Employment Service totalled 27,171 for the year (19,823 males and 7,348 females). Nevertheless, the highest number remaining unplaced at the end of any month was 141 in June. This mid-winter figure comprised 133 males and 8 females. (6) In the expansion of secondary industries the greatest gain was made in the building and construction industry, where the surveyed labour force moved from 37,333 in October, 1947, to 39,321 in October, 1948, half of this increase occurring in the houseconstruction sector. In manufacturing industries —i.e., secondary industries excluding building and construction —the aggregate labour force moved from 146,115 in October, 1947, to 148,408 in October, 1948. The following table shows the movement in the main groups :

Surveyed Labour Force in Main Manufacturing Groups

4

— Male Vacancies. Female Vacancies. . Auckland .. .. .. .. , . Wellington-Lower Hutt .. Christchurch Dunedin .. .. .. Twenty-two other districts .. . . Total .. 3,483 (3,557) 3,999 (4,947) 1,150 (1,329) 1,079 (1,061) 5,008 (4,985) 3,349 (3,547) 3,030 (3,473) 1,378 (1,767) 1,504 (1,868) 2,658 (2,553) 14,719 (15,879) 11,919 (13,208) (October, 1947, figures shown in parentheses.)

Males. Females. Auckland 4-8 110 Wellington-Lower Hutt' .. 7*7 13-7 Christchurch 31 8-9 Dunedin 4-4 15-5 Other districts 3-9 6-0 New Zealand 4-6 9-8

— October, 1947. October, 1948. Gain. Food, drink, and tobacco (excluding seasonal) 14,960 15,219 259 Textiles, leather, and clothing 35,428 35,799 371 Building materials and furnishings .. 18,664 19,424 760 Engineering and metal working 47,794 48,365 971 Other manufacturing 21,164 20,863 301 (loss) Power and water-supply 8,505 8,738 233