Jobless total ‘not true pointer'

Press, 27 August 1977, Page 2

Jobless total ‘not true pointer'

PA Wellington The latest unemployment statistics are an alarming indicator of the state of the economy, according to the Labour spokesman on industrial relations (Mr A. J. I Faulkner).

Appalling as these unemployment figures are. they grossly underestimate the true situation, he says. ‘‘New Zealand has lost in the last year almost 23,000 people from permanent and long-term migration. Most of these were skilled working people who left because they see better prospects overseas.

Mr Faulkner said it was particularly disturbing that the August figures were much higher than those in July, when unemployment normally peaked. This suggested the economy was rapidly sliding backwards. “In the face of this trend I want to know when the Government is going to come up with a programme to get the economy going again, so that all New Zealanders who want to work and produce are able to do so,” he said. The number of persons registered as unemployed with the Labour Department increased from 6590 on July 29 to 7092 on August 19 and the number of persons employed on special work schemes increased by 187 to 7815. Vacancies recorded by the department decreased from 1375 to 1197 during the same period. A total of 3285 persons being paid unemployment benefits at August 19 compared with 3020 at July 29. Figures for the circulation area of “The Press" (those at July 29 in parentheses) are: Blenheim 107 unemployed (138), 89 on special work (90); Nelson 130 (108), 225 (205); Greymouth 71 (54), 160 (168); Christchurch 911 (795). 949 (940); Timaru 127 (147), 118 (103); Dunedin 180 (200). 115 (300); Invercargill 265 (239), 343 (206); southern region 1791 (1681). 1999 (2012). .