LABOUR VACANCIES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6568, 20 September 1948, Page 5

LABOUR VACANCIES

INCREASE IN HAMILTON DISTRICT STANDARD OF LIVING DEPENDENT ON EMPLOYEES Th’e standard of living possible for New Zealand’s population of one and four-fifths millions is entirely dependent on the volume of goods and services produced by her labour force of 710,600 men and women, says the annual report of the Department of Labour and Employment for the year ended March 31, 1948, which was presented to Parliament last week.

The size, of this body of workers, the report points out, and its age and sex composition, its distribution geographically and over industry, and the efficiency of its individual members are all important determinants of the volume of goods and services it is possible to produce in a given year.

This possible volume of production is reduced when there are losses of working time due to absenteeism, short time, between-job unemployment, sickness, accidents, excessive labour turnover, and industrial unrest, or losses of efficiency due to faulty training, lack of incentive, and inefficient managment. On the other hand, it is increased by such things as the working of overtime and increased efficiency in management and plant. The yearly output of goods and services depends, then, on (a) the size of the labour force, (b) its distribution, (c) the average number of hours worked per employee, and (d) the output per man-hour. Farming Activity After reviewing tl}e aspects, the report deals with conditions in various areas. Referring to Hamilton the report states: “This district covers one of the most closely-settled farming areas in New Zealand, and is noteworthy for the of smaller towns which are developing. “Some of the principal industries stem from this farming activity. At the height of their season, dairy factories require nearly 650 men and the freezing works more than 700. In the Huntly area coal-mining absorbs about 1650 men, and brickworks approximately 100, while elsewhere sawmills, potteries, and lime, serpentine and fertiliser works operate.

“Building and construction employs over 2500 males and the engineering and metal working groups over 1200. Nearly 1000 staff are employed in the construction of the hydro-electricity plant at Maraetai. “Locally-notified vacancies for male labour increased from 370 at staff. Female vacancies at March 31, 1948, the greatest numbers now being required by coal-mining (73) and building and construction (161). The Railways and Postl and Telegraph Departments both require additional staff. Female vacancies at March 31, 1948, totalled 96, compared with 133 at the end of the previous year. Of these, 49 were required for hospital work.”

The report was presented to the Minister by Mr H. L. Bockett, secretary of labour and director of employment.