UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21937, 22 October 1934, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS

The statistical report upon unemployment for the period that ended on September 29 supplies further evidence of progressive improvement in the situation. The total number who were a charge upon the Unemployment Fund at that date was 61,489, against 75,134 at the same date in 1933. The comparison at August 4 was 62,451 and 72,966. Last summer, notably in January and February, the figure was slightly /♦lower than it is to-day, but that very fact is reassuring for the seasonal increase in employment has not yet begun. The indications are that during the height of the coming summer the registrations will fall to a considerably lower level than that of the first months of this year. The details of the present report show that the decline is almost evenly divided over the men who receive relief under the No. 5 scheme or sustenance in lieu thereof, and those whose wages are subsidised. This is encouraging knowledge. It indicates that, the movement back to normal work, though slow, is over the general field. Although the Government has found it possible to reduce the. unemployment tax by twopence it would be folly to assume that the problem is within sight of ending. For several reasons —and the low price of butter is one of them—the country must be prepared to provide a good deal of unemployment relief for a period that is not likely to be of short duration. At the same time it should be borne in mind that every improvement in the unemployment figures, especially at times when seasonal influences are not helping the position, means a rather better result than face value, for the reason that in New. Zealand the hard core of unemployment is largely created by the unemployables, whose numbers have never been checked, and by those who habitually followed casual occupations. It is common knowledge that many men even in the last-mentioned class have not really suffered through their "unemployment." While there is no lack of heart for the support of the workless throughout the community, it is unfortunate that the taxpayers can only guess at the number, of those who have never pulled their weight, but now qualify for relief and excite sentimental concern and emotional outbursts that are not always genuine. However, as Competent men get back to trade and industry the proportion of the shiftless increases. On that account the position, though serious, is not quite so bad as. it seems.