N.Z. FACTORIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 3 October 1936, Page 3

N.Z. FACTORIES

INCREASED EMPLOYMENT LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FIGURES Increased employment in factories is noted in the annual report of the Labour Department which was tabled in the House of Representatives. “Several sections of this report contain evidence of improved conditions,” stated the report. “The table relating to the number of factory workers, also the returns of industrial union membership, indicate greater employment, which it is intended to table by leave of the House concerning relief of unemployment, and measures to promote employment, and generally the activities in connection with the Unemployment Fund (now Employment Promotion Fund). Number of Number Factories Year registered. Workers

“The figures as to the number of factories and workers employed therein do not purport to coincide with those of the Government Statistician (annual statistics of factory production) as his returns, which are drawn up purely for statistical purpses, do not cover various small establishments that are included as factories under the Factories Act. “It might be explained that the above figures are those ascertained at registration-time, April in each yeai, except that in order to include factories in seasonal industries which might be closed in April any new establishments opened during the year are added. The figures shown for 1935-36, therefore, chiefly represent the number in April, 1935. “Mention has been made in the last two years’ reports of the impiovement noticeable in soveiy.l industries —viz. clothing and white working, boot manufacturing, and sawmillmg ancl other trades associated with the building industry: the increase in the number of factories registered during the year—s34—is the greatest since 1925-26. . , , . , “Registration fees received during 3 035-36 reflected the increases above noted, being about 7 per cent, greater than in the preceding year. In respect to the 1936-37 year the revenue received during the first quarter indicates that a further increase both in factories registered and in factory workers may be anticipated this year “The records of overtime retained bv the Department refer only to extended hours in the case of women and boys, the prior approval of the inspector being necessary. From such records it is ascertained that a considerable amount of overtime has again been worked, particularly m the clothing trades. The law limits the amount of overtime that may be worked to ninety hours in any year with an additional thirty hours in special cases. Many clothing factories worked the full limit of overtime allowed.”

1916-17 12,455 78.188 1926-27 16.619 103,404 1927-28 16.782 102.622 1928-29 '16.677 102,795 1929-30 17,082 104,448 1930-31 17,019 104,377 1931-32 16,253 89.932 1932-33 16.176 86,222 1933-34 15,598 85.968 1934-35 15,900 93,592 1935-36 16,434 102,275