THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1948. THE LABOUR MARKET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26708, 1 March 1948, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1948. THE LABOUR MARKET

The half-yearly survey of employment, which has been issued by the Department of Labour and Employment, reveals that unemployment continues to be practically nonexistent in this country and that the demand for labour still exceeds that which can be made available by natural recruitments and by immigration. Some satisfaction may be felt with this position, but this is offset by an examination of the analyses of the distribution of labour. The decline in employment in the primary industries continues while the expansion of secondary industries is such that attention is now directed to the need for decentralisation in some districts. For the first time since 1930 statistics are available of the number of persons permanently engaged in farm work. From a total of 119,321 so engag.ed in 1930, the number has decreased over the years by five per cent, to 112,921. This decrease was not evenly distributed throughout New Zealand but reached 20 per cent, in the South Island and 29 per cent, in Otago. Increased mechanisation may be accountable in part for the decrease, but, states the survey, when this factor is considered in conjunction with the rate of growth of primary production, a continuing downward trend is suggested. These figures are not only interesting in connection with the drift of total population from the South to the North, but are of particular importance as demonstrating a decline which must seriously affect the future welfare of this province.

Approximately 50 per cent, of the male job-seekers and 40 per cent, of the females engage in manufacturing industries, the engineering and metal-working industries providing one of the major fields for the male worker. In the past eighteen months, it is stated, employment in this group has been increased by nearly 5000, the postwar recovery of the motor industry being largely accountable for this phenomenon. The position in the heavier engineering works, shipyards and railways and tramways workshops, has been least satisfactory, although there is still a demand for labour. Some relief in housing difficulties should result from the substantial influx of labour for sawmills and for the manufacture of building materials and furnishings. The expansion of industry and the limitation of the labour market has had salutary effects. The drift from employment to employment, it is stated, is only partly due to the competition in the labour market and can be mitigated by workers’ protection and by efficiency in management. The reduction of industrial unrest would also affect production and, in consequence, the cost of living. The demands of secondary industry are now creating problems of decentralisation, but they also emphasise the need for a planned economy for the country, and that must be one which provides for the reinforcement of primary industries. It is not enough that there should be no unemployment, the labour force must be most effectively employed for the good of the nation. The facts set out in this survey will give much food for thought to those who are not satisfied with surface appearances of well-being.

A SHIPPING SERVICE

At this centennial time when thousands of people are flocking to Dunedin and business organisations, large and small, are having their resources taxed to the utmost in the profitable pursuit of catering for their needs, the economic advantages that accrue to a city through an enlarged demand for services and goods have become notably evident. There devolves upon all those interested in the future development of the province, therefore, a responsibility to plan for the consolidation of the commercial gains that have been the direct result of the centenary. This planning might take a diversity of forms, but none that can exclude consideration of the importance of efficient transportation of both passengers and goods between Dunedin and northern and overseas centres. Recently it was suggested that the direct shipping service to Australia might be revived, and this is clearly one project for which substantial support could be marshalled, not only in Dunedin but in all the principal towns of the South Island. As trade conditions return to normal the volume of passenger and goods traffic between the South Island and Australia should expand sufficiently to warrant the establishment of such a service, and the various bodies which have been constituted to further the interests of the South Island could well combine to evolve some scheme by which it might be put into practice. To-day the South Island is merely a tributary to the commercial stream of the north, and there can be few businessmen who have not some bitter experience of the disadvantages of this state of affairs. Goods for the South Island ports are frequently delayed both in Australian ports and in Wellington, and the shortage of coastal shipping in New Zealand operates further to the disadvantage of southern trade. The loss in trade orders, in delays and in shipping and storage charges must represent a considerable sum annually and there is little prospect of the situation being improved except by determined action on the part of South Island interests. The loss of trade is one factor which, in particular, is deplorable, for it means that Australian firms are establishing contacts with the north which may become permanent. The former trade relations with Tasmania and Melbourne can be rebuilt only when direct shipping communication is restored. In addition to trade there is a potential passenger traffic which could be exploited to the advantage of southern tourist attractions —and trade often follows the tourist. The resumption of direct shipping communication with Australia is one of the subjects to be discussed at the conference of the South Island Local Bodies’ Association and the South Island Publicity Association which is to be held in Dunedin in April, and. it is earnestly to be hoped that the subject is given the measure of practical consideration it deserves.