IMPROVED BUSINESS

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4811, 20 February 1936, Page 5

IMPROVED BUSINESS

STATISTICAL RECORDS. The following statistical indications given in the current Abstract of Statistics, of a materially improved internal business situation during 1935 are of interest:— (1) The aggregate value of bank debits (excluding Government) was £(m.) 686.5 in 1935, as compared with £(m) 676.2 in 1934 and £(m)559.1 in 1933. (2) The total value • of building permits issued in the larger towns was £4,452,997 in 1935, as compared with £3,529,703 in 1934. The number of permits issued for the erection of private dwellings totalled 3038 in 1935, as compared with 2006 in 1934. (3) The total value of New Zealand factory products in the 1934-35 production year was 10.5 per cent, higher than in 1933-34, employment in factories increasing by 9.2 per cent. (4) The value of land transfers registered in the calendar year 1935 was 23.1 per cent, higher than in 1934, while the value of mortgage registrations increased by 45.5 per cent. These increases are a significant indication of a revival of confidence in real estate as an investment. (5) Sales tax collected in the calendar year 1935 totalled £2,389,939, 12.9 per cent, higher than the total in 1934 (£2,116,573), indicating a substantial increase in wholesale transactions. (6) Returns issued by the Unemployment Board at four-weekly intervals disclose a decrease in the number of unemployed The averages of the totals shown in the 13 returns compiled for each of the last three yeai’s were: 1933, 47,221; 1934, 39,480; and 1035, 38,572. The 1935 figure is 18.3 per cent, below that shown for 1933. Attention should be directed to the fact that even a static position in the unememployment returns would denote a material increase in unemployment, since the number of males attaining working age exceeds by several thousands those reaching the end of their span of working life. Comprehensive statistical data are not available as to unemployment among women and juveniles, but such evidence as is available points to a marked improvement in 1935 in the employment situation for these classes of workers.