RURAL EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1929, Page 8

RURAL EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.

Though they seem satisfactory enough on the surface, some analysis is necessary before the true value of the Government Statistician’s figures in regard to unemployment on farms can be drrived at. For the season 1928-29 an increase of 9128 was shown in the number of persons permanently employed on farms, the figures having risen from 129,481 for the previous year to 138,609. It is not stated what definition is given of the word permanent, though it is stated that only those who obtain their living by regular rural pursuits have been included. It looks as though a real improvement was effected last year, but the Government’s large scheme of reu f works, with its award rate of wages, was not then in force, and it will be interesting to see what effect it has upon rural employment during the present season. Of those engaged in rural pursuits last year more than half (74,686) were connected with the dairying industry, the figures being 56,825 males and 17,861 females. From this it would seem that the reduction in labour on dairy farms brought about by the use of mechanical devices and electricity was more than overtaken by an increase in the area devoted to dairying, of which the increase in production last year was another indication. The Statistician draws attention to the enormous increase in the use of electricity on dairy farms. Eight years ago there were but 456 farm motors recorded, with a nominal horse-power of 1611. This year 13,377 motors have been registered with a horse-power of 24,713. The figures serve to show once again the enormous importance of the dairying industry to New Zealand. It is not so long since hydro-electric schemes were based upon the existence of factories and other urban requirements. To-day it looks as though the success of the hydro-electric enterprises of the State will depend quite as much upon the cou .try as upon the towns. It is too early to say whether last year’s figures denote the arrest o-f the drift from the country to the town, but they at least afford some ground for the hope that, it will eventuate.