BEST FOR TWO YEARS.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18928, 24 April 1933, Page 12

BEST FOR TWO YEARS.

i ■■ ’ EMPLOYMENT IN AUSTRALIA. MORE JOBS AVAILABLE. CANBERRA, April 12. A further reduction during the three months ended February 15 of 16,00(1 or 17,000 in the number of unemployed in Australia is indicated in an official statement to-day from the Commonwealth Statistician (Mr E. T. MoPhee). „ . This shows that the proportion of unemployed in the trade unions furnishing returns to the Bureau of Statistics declined during the three, months from 28.1 per cent, to 26.0 per cent.

The number of unemployed Is now the lowest for two years. There has been a steady d,eollno In the number for nine months. During this period it is estimated that 40,000 men and women have been reabsorbed In industry. The unemployment percentages in the trade unions since 1931 have been as follows: — 1931 — First quarter, 25.8 per cent.; seoond quarter, 27.6; third quarter, 28.3; fourth quarter, 28. 1932 — First quarter, 28.3 per cent.; second quarter, 30; third quarter, 29.6; fourth quarter, 28.1. 1933 First quarter, 26.5 per cent.

The percentages given above show for the more recent periods the almost continuous rise which had been uninterrupted sinoe 1929. “Since 5 the unemployment rate reached its maximum in the second quarter of 1932 there has been an improvement of 3£ per cent., or 35 per thousand-members. Up till May last year the numbm of unemployed had been Increasing month by month.

General Improvement. “The decline is very gratifying, and provides further evidence of the general improvement in conditions which is taking place,” said the Attorney-General (Mr Latham) today. ' "The percentage of unemployed is still high, hut the progressive improvement that has recently been taking placo is evidence that the polioy which has been followed by the various Governments is the right one." Mr Latham added that all Governments had been working to a plan of readjustment which, so far as purely local actions could be effective, was now bearing fruit. Our internal economy was now on a much sounder basis, and when the hoped-for revival of world trade took place we should be in a position to reap the full benefit. Reviewing the Government’s activities in the last 12 months Mr Latham said they had all been directed towards relieving" unemployment. The steady progression towards balanced Budgets, the restoration of confidence (as shown by the increased price of our slocks, both here and abroad), reduction in interest rates and substantial relief from taxation, had all contributed towards the unemployment reduction. New South Wales Figures. The percentage of unemployed trade unionists in New South Wales at February 15 was 30.2, a drop of 1.7 sinco November 15, and of 2.3 since August 15. Queensland lias the lowest unemployment percentage—namely, 16.7. Tasmania (19.5) is next, then Victoria (23.9), Western Australia (27.1), New South Wales (30.2) and South Australia (30.59. Generally it may be said that the returns of unemployment from the trade unions include little information about rural employment, so that the percentage results given do not vary.greatly with the season. It is usual for the number of unemployed to Increase during the second three months of the year, and accordingly it is not expected that the percentage of 26.5 will be maintained.

It is anticipated, however, that the figure for the second quarter, when announced, will be substantially less than that on the corresponding date 12 months ago.