WAGES BILL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26214, 26 July 1946, Page 6

WAGES BILL

SURVEY OF INDUSTRY FIGURES FOR OTAGO “ The information obtained from the survey of industries carried out in April is proving of great value in determining the flow of labour into particular industries and in bringing to light certain factors which are influencing this flow,” said the district employment officer (Mr S. C. Bingham) in a press statement yesterday. Certain industries, including farming, freezing works, other seasonal occupations, and waterfront work, were not surveyed, and, therefore, no information regarding the wages paid in these industries is available. The returns received included information in regard to the number of employees and working proprietors engaged in the various industries and also gave particulars of the wages paid. The weekly wage bill for males was £158,727, an average of £6 17s Id, and for females the total wgs £36,893, an average of £3 13s 4d. From this data in respect to wages, Mr Bingham said, it had been possible to obtain weekly totals for four mam groups of industries. The figures included the wages of part-time workers, juveniles, and working proprietors, but did not include overtime payments. The first group includes all manufacturing industries, the engineering and motor trades, radio servicing and cycle repair shops, etc., the gross wages bill for males being £58,143 and for females £13,279. Group two comprises the building and construction industry and such primary industries as were surveyed, including mining, bush sawmilling, and quarrying. Males in these industries received a total of £ 18,638, whilst females were paid a total of £220. The wholesale, and retail trades, finance and insurance, and other agencies make up the third group of industries. In this group £30,276 was paid to males. Females received £8554 All other industries, including transport hotels and restaurants, etc., local authorities, and Government departments, comprise group four. Here the total payment to males was £51.670. Females were paid £15,840.