Unemployment Increases

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31865, 18 December 1968, Page 1

Unemployment Increases

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 17. The number of registered unemployed rose slightly in the last two weeks.

The latest unemployment figures, released today by the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) show that for the twoweek period from November 29 to December 13, the number of unemployed registered with the Labour Department rose by 43 from 4508 to 4551. Male enrolments during the same period rose from 3234 to 3280 and female registrations dropped from 1274 to 1271. Men employed on special Government works at December 13 numbered 226, compared with 884 at November 29.

Vacancies notified to the Labour Department for men numbered 2688 and for women 1098, a total of 3786. Corresponding figures at November 29 were 3270 and 1300, a total of 4570. Included in the vacancies were 1002 for skilled men and 354 for skilled women. Figures released by the Social Security Department showed that 2944 (2938 for the previous fortnight) men and women were receiving unemployment benefit at December 13. Registered unemployed in the following Labour Department districts were:

Dec. 13 Nov. 29 Northland . 532 534 Auckland .. 978 980 HaniiltonPaeroa .. 626 613 Tauranga .. 238 209 Rotorua .. 344 369 Gisborne .. 74 83 Napier . 59 55 Hastings . 4 8 New Plymouth . 87 92 Wanganui . . 164 185 Palmerston Nth 158 196 Masterton 12 14 Lower Hutt .. 90 50 Wellington . . 205 196 Blenheim .. 14 14 Nelson .. 61 71 Greymouth .. 98 81 Christchurch .. 478 368 Ashburton .. 17 16 Timaru ... 29 30 Oamaru ..30 16 Dunedin .. 155 171 Invercargill .. 98 157 Totals .. 4551 4508