Manawatu Evening Standard. TUESDAY, SEPT. 15, 1936. UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 246, 15 September 1936, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. TUESDAY, SEPT. 15, 1936. UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES.

It is rather disconcerting to find that the number of unemployed in the Dominion has increased as on Aug-ust 1, compared with the preceding months, and with the corresponding month of last year. The official returns for the last four months show as follow: — Number. May ... ... 35,270 June 39,038 July 42,939 August 45,045 Each month shows a substantial increase. While it is probable that for the three months May to July there was a seasonal increase, it being winter and the dull period of the year, there should have been an improvement in August, instead of which there is just as great an increase in August as in July. The Government has expressed a desire, if not a determination, to have every man at work in due course, but there is something defeating it, something for which it has not made provision. It was believed in Labour circles that by restricting the work hours more hands would be employed. There is no doubt that some services—the tramway services, for examplehave had to employ more men to maintain the services, but in other directions readjustments are taking place, and unnecessary units are being dispensed with. Young- fellows of 18 and 19 years of age without trade experience, but who must be paid accordingto age, are unable to secure employment. The official unemployment figures merit close attention, if we are to learn anything from statistics. ’ln May last those employed under Scheme 5 numbered 15,528; in July the number droplied to 15,280, rising again in August to 15,945. On the whole this section lias been fairly steady. The number of men registered but not on relief totalled 3200 in June, and fell to 2804 in August. If there is any evidence to be derived from the trend in this section it is that those who retain their independence, that is, do not seek relief, are able to find. work, and there is work available on the farms. Farm labour is already offering a difficulty, and what it will be like when the jobs on public works attract the strong farm hands will not be a pleasing situation for farmers. Wc have left consideration to the lust of the one section that shows a marked upward trend, and that is those on “sustenance without work.” The figures for each of four months are

as under: — Number. May 17,100 June 20,352 duly 24,470 August ... ... 2G,29G

Tliis group lias grown by leaps and bounds, and it is the one group that we may be sure will continue to increase- For the sustenance group to increase by 9196, or over 53 per cent., iu three months is alarming. Does this trend mean that New Zealand will have to maintain in the near future a great army of “idle poor” ? Sooner or later it will be necessary to hold a searching inquiry into this aspect of the unemployment problem.