UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD (REPORT OF).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1933 Session I, H-35

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1933. NEW ZEALAND.

UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD (REPORT OF).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave.

REPORT.

INTRODUCTORY. Except to the extent that the generally unsettled world conditions may discount local indications, all the evidences appearing within the province of the Unemployment Board point to the fact of saturation level having been reached in Dominion unemployment. The Board considers, therefore, that, unless any new factor occurs to arrest the present rising tendency in the national income from the export of primary products, any change in the unemployment situation should now be for the better. The various unemployment schemes carried on by the Board have throughout been aimed at the prevention of undue suffering among those whom necessity obliged to accept relief. These, with their dependants, are a substantial cross-section of society, and the fact that the Health Department is able to report that no deterioration in the general health of the community has occurred over the period during which the relief system has operated offers assurance that unemployed citizens as a whole have been spared actual privation. At the same time, however, personal resources, particularly in the nature of clothing, have steadily diminished, in spite of the valuable work of unofficial relief organizations ; and during the year the Board made special arrangements for the supply of good-quality working-boots to relief workers. Further reference to this service is made later in the report. First care having been given to ensuring that imperative bodily needs were reasonably met, the next consideration has been the manner in which relief money is made available. A principal difficulty which has been encountered in the endeavours to realign the application of relief labour so that it will be directed mainly on to developmental works is an immobility of the groups of unemployed domiciled in the centres. In line with the established policy of the Board, however, the directing of a progressively mounting ratio of relief labour into definitely reproductive avenues has been steadily fostered since the presentation of the previous annual report. Progress has been satisfactory, but there yet remains between the point of present achievement and the objective of the Board wide scope for acceleration of the process. The predominantly pastoral and agricultural character of the Dominion has given these efforts, in the main, a natural bias towards land-development of a direct or indirect nature ; but the ramifications of the Board's activities have led as well to its extending assistance in a growing number of other spheres. PERSONNEL OF BOARD. No change has occurred in the personnel or constitution of the Board, whose members are : The Hon. Adam Hamilton, Minister of Employment (Chairman); Mr. James S. Jessep, of Wairoa (Deputy-Chairman); Mr. Walter Bromley, of Wellington; Mr. P. R. Climie, of Christchurch ; Mr. G. C. Godfrey, Commissioner of Unemployment. The three appointed members, Messrs. Jessep, Bromley, and Climie were reappointed by the Governor-General for a further term of two years from the Ist August, 1933. The reappointments were notified in the New Zealand Gazette No. 52, dated the 27th July, 1933. Mr. Malcolm Fraser, Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, continues to be an Associate Member of the Boai'd.

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THE UNEMPLOYMENT FUND. Accompanying this report is an audited statement of the receipts and payments of the Unemployment Fund for the year ended 31st March, 1933. Summarized, this statement shows the following position, the corresponding figures for previous years being shown for the purpose of comparison:—

In addition to the sum of £424,426 shown above as cash in the Fund at the 31st March last, there was a sum of £85,115 tax collected by the Post Office and not yet paid over at that date. There was thus a total of £509,541 cash available. Deducting from this figure a sum of £174,800 sundry creditors at the 31st March, 1933, there was in the Unemployment Fund at Ist April, 1933, a sum of approximately £334,740, making, with the estimated revenue of £4,300,000, a total of £4,634,740 available for unemployment relief during the year ending 31st March, 1934. In the year ended on the 31st March, 1933, payments under various relief schemes were as follows: — £ Farming schemes .. .. .. .. .. .. 277,764 Building scheme .. .. .. .. .. .. 49,627 Gold-prospecting schemes .. .. .. .. .. 70,206 Camp schemes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 180,483 Distribution of food, clothing, or rations orders .. .. .. 58,667 Sustenance payments when work could not be provided .. .. 12,960 Scheme No. 5 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,937,991 It will be noted that the payments in respect to administration expenses totalled £100,643. Adding to this amount a sum of £6,500, representing cost of collection of unemployment levy allowed to the Post and Telegraph Department, there was a total payment of £107,143 on account of administration expenses. This sum represents 2-82 per cent, of the total payments of £3,795,040 from the Fund. The percentage of administration payments to total payments in the year 1931-32 was 1-66 per cent. The total payments do not, however, provide a satisfactory basis for comparing the cost of administration year by year, since the payments for a particular year include items of expenditure actually incurred in a previous year, while the whole year's expenditure will not be shown in the payments, since at the end of the year there will be commitments due and unpaid. This position is particularly marked in comparing the payments for the years 1931-32 and 1932-33. At the end of the financial year 1931-32 there was an unusually large number of accounts for administration outstanding, and these were paid in the following year, with the result that, while the actual payments for 1931-32 were £37,347 only, those for 1932-33 were £100,643. The actual expenditure in these years when unpaid accounts at the end of each year are included was : 1931-32, £55,015 ; 1932-33, £95,165. The latter figures, representing actual expenditure, form a more satisfactory basis for comparing costs of administration. Percentage costs extracted on this basis show the comparative position for the years 1931-32 and 1932-33 as follows: — 1931-32. 1932-33. (1) Total expenditure, including unpaid creditors at £ £ 31st March .. .. .. .. 2,268,197 3,839,807 Plus cost of collection of levy retained by Post Office 4,000 6,500 £2,272,197 £3,846,307 (2) Amount of administration expenses included in total cost shown above .. .. .. £55,015 £95,165 Per Cent. Per Cent. (3) Administration expenses as percentage of total cost 2-42 2-47

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Year ended i Year ended Year ended 31st March, 1 3] st March, 31st March, 1931.* j 1932. 1933. £ £ £ Cash in fund at beginning of year .. .. .. .. 69,115 184,967 Receipts. Levy .. .. .. .. .. .. 229,000 538,503 429,004 Wages-tax.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 490,053 2,471,028 Tax on income other than salary or wages .. .. .. 220,245 1,120,404 Subsidy from Consolidated Fund .. .. .. 159,247 1,118,753 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. 9 2,530 7,563 388,256 2,439,199 4,212,966 Payments. 1 Grants under section 18, Unemployment Act, 1930 .. 313,209 2,200,545 3,594,637 Sustenance under section 20, Unemployment Act, 1930 .. .. .. 12,960 Loans under section 18, Unemployment Act, 1930 .. .. 16,340 21,633 Purchases of food, &c., under section 14, Unemployment .. .. 58,667 Amendment Act, 1932 Administration expenses .. .. .. .. 5,932 , 37,347 100,643 j 319,141 2,254,232 3,788,540 ; 1 Cash in fund at end of year .. .. .. .. 69,115 184,967 424,426 * Period 11th October, 1930, to 31st March, 1931.

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UNEMPLOYMENT FUND. Receipts and Payments Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1933. Receipts. Payments. lo Balance at beginning of By Annual appropriation, Vote, £ s. d. £ s. d. year £ s. d. £ s. d. " Unemployment exCash .. .. 184,941 10 0 penses"— Imprests outstanding .. 25 2 8 Salaries .. .. 15,643 011 184,966 12 8 Advertising .. .. 2,782 2 10 Unemployment Act, 1930: Receipts under Board members' fees, the Act salaries, and expenses 1,911 19 9 Unemployment levy .. .. .. 429,003 19 6 Fitting up labour-bureaux 712 16 0 Unemployment emer- j Law-costs .. .. 812 1 gency charge—• £ s. d. Office equipment .. 945 510 Tax on salary and j Office expenses .. 302 17 7 wages paid by cash 1,216,684 13 11 Overtime and meal allowTax on salary or wages ances .. .. 279 5 0 paid by sale of Un- Postages, telegrams, and employment Relief" telephones .. .. 6,537 8 2 stamps .. .. 1,254,343 0 2 J Printing and stationery 5,294 16 1 Printing " Unemploy- . 2,471,027 14 1 i ment Relief" stamps 467 11 8 Tax on income other Rent, heating, and lightthan salary or wages 1,120,404 13 5 ing .... 1,590 10 11 3,591,432 7 6 Services rendered by lines .. .. .. .. .. 808 110 other Departments .. 60,776 10 4 Interest on investments .. .. .. 2,675 4 9 Special advisory cornInterest on loans under section 18, Unemploy- mittee, expenses of . 466 2 11 ment Act, 1930 .. .. .. 832 11 6 Telephone services .. 356 19 2 Repayment of loans under section 18 .. 3,240 10 7 Transfer and removal Donations .. .. .. .. 610 0 expenses .. .. 62 12 0 Travelling allowances and expenses .. .. 2,465 311 Contingencies .. 4 22 100,607 17 4 Unauthorized (services not provided for). .. .. 35 2 0 Grants under section 18, Unemployment Act, 1930 — £ s. d. Scheme No. 2 .. 3 5 3 Scheme No. 4a .. 217,046 13 10 Scheme No. 4b .. 23,402 17 6 Scheme No. 4c .. 1,257 4 0 Scheme No. 4d .. 16,452 2 4 Scheme No. 5 .. 2,937,990 12 7 Scheme No. 6a .. 54,513 16 3 Scheme No. 6b .. 4,773 5 7 Scheme No. 6c .. 121,195 11 5 Scheme No. 7 .. 387 14 4 Scheme No. 8a and other assistance to subsidized gold-prospectors .. 69,800 5 6 Scheme No. 8b .. 405 19 6 Scheme No. 10 .. 49,627 5 6 Scheme No. 11 .. 12,391 5 3 Small-farm plan .. 6,826 9 7 Assistance to flax industry .. .. 21,881 1 8 Assistance to timber industry .. .. 2,186 14 4 Relief of unemployment among Maoris .. 24,101 0 9 Relief of unemployment among women .. 15,279 10 9 Relief of unemployment among boys .. 1,985 0 0 Insurance of relief workers 1,738 18 3 Miscellaneous grants and subsidies .. .. 11,390 1 7 3,594,636 15 9 Loans under section 18, Unemployment Act, 1930.. .. 21,633 3 7 Sustenance payments under section 20, Unemployment Act, 1930 .. .. 12,960 6 8 Purchase of food, clothing, &c. (section 14, Unemployment Act, 1932) — Purchase of foodstuffs by £ s. d. rationing system .. 38,023 4 0 Purchase of meat .. 20,032 1 10 Miscellaneous.. .. 611 1 9 58,666 7 7 Balance at end of year— Cash .. .. 323,148 9 8 Imprests outstanding .. 1,277 15 9 Investments .. .. 100,000 0 0 424,426 5 5 £4,212,965 18 4 £4,212,965 18 4 G. C. Godfrey, Commissioner of Unemployment. W. Yates, A.R.A.N.Z., Accountant, Unemployment Board. I hereby certify that the Statement of Receipts and Payments has been duly examined and compared with the relative books and documents submitted for audit, and correctly states the position as disclosed thereby.—G. F. C. Campbell, Controller and Auditor-General.

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REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT. The register compiled in accordance with the Act by the Post and Telegraph Department contained the names of some 481,000 males aged twenty years or over at the 31st March, 1933. This figure excludes those removed from the register owing to death or departure from the Dominion since the Act came into force, and represents an increase of 6,300 registrations during the year. CONTRIBUTORS TO THE FUND. The number of persons contributing to the Unemployment Fund by way of the general unemployment levy may be gauged by the following figures representing individual instalments of the levy received by the Post and Telegraph Department up to the 31st March, 1933 : —

Making allowance for the fact that considerable numbers of contributors fail to effect payment within one month of the due dates of instalments, and in the light of records of payments of the above instalments effected since 31st March, 1933, it is estimated that at least 425,000 males are paying the general unemployment levy. This is also borne out by the receipts from the levy during the financial year ended 31st March, 1933, which totalled £429,004. During the period covered by the above-mentioned instalments (i.e., from December, 1930, to March, 1933) a sum of approximately £1,196,500 has been received into the Unemployment Fund on account of the general unemployment levy. Apart from contributions to the Fund by way of the levy, almost every person in receipt of salary, wages, and other income has paid a direct tax towards the relief of unemployment by means of the emergency unemployment charge. The amounts credited to the Fund from these sources during the financial year ended 31st March, 1933, were as follow : — £ Charge on salary or wages .. .. .. .. .. 2,471,028 Charge on other income .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,120,404 £3,591,432 EXEMPTIONS AND POSTPONEMENTS. (a) General Unemployment Levy. There has been a marked increase in applications for postponement of, or exemption from, payments of levies. Exemptions recorded since the inception of the levy up to 31st March, 1933, are shown in the following statement: — Total exemptions (including Maoris, old-age pensioners, and other aged males with small means, persons suffering from permanent physical or mental incapacity, &c.).. 28,750

Partial Exemptions.

The value of instalments not collected because of partial exemption as indicated above, represents a sum of approximately £33,000. In lieu of granting exemption from payment of the levy on the grounds of hardship, the Board has exercised its power in extending the time of payment, without penalty, in 3,065 cases.

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,, , , » t i i . Number of Instalments Instalment Date. Amount of Instalment. paid by Contributor8 . 8. d. December, 1930 .. .. .. •• 7 6 428,016 March, 1931 .. .. .. •• 7 6 424,495 June, 1931 .. .. .. •• •• 7 6 423,336 August, 1931 .. .. .. • • • • 5 0 425,674 November, 1931 .. .. .. •• 5 0 424,588 February, 1932 .. .. .. .• 5 0 425,024 May, 1932 .. .. .. .. •• 5 0 425,709 August, 1932 .. .. .. .. .. 5 0 424,246 November, 1932 .. .. .. .• 5 0 ! 412,229 February, 1933 .. .. .. •• 5 0 1 385,027

Instalments. i' ]. December, March, June, August, November, February.! May, August, November, February, 1930. 1931. 1931. 1931. 1931. j 1932. j 1932. 1932. 1932. 1933. Inmates of mental hospitals .. .. 3,344 3,578 3,613 3,668 3,682 3,734 3,738 3,790 3,844 3,883 Inmates of prisons, reformatories, &c... 1,091 1,155 1,228 1,486 1,410 1,151 1,158 1,179 1,200 1,082 Inmates > of hospitals, charitable institu- 1,105 712 884 529 484 590 453 389 308 243 tions, &c. Students .. .. .. •• 917 993 1,220 697 805 663 889 836 667 409 Cases of mental and physical disability,&c. 4,468 3,631 3,336 2,962 2,942 2,798 2,669 2,576 1,937 1,373 Hardship .. .. .. .. 1,998 2,741 3,103 3,183 3,537 2,729 2,050 1,219 626 222 Totals .. .. .. 12,923 12,810 13,384 12,525 12,860 11,665 10,957 9,989 8,582 7,212

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(b) Emergency Unemployment Charge. Apart from the other statutory exemptions from payment of the charge, to which reference was made in the Board's previous report, over 5,200 applications for exemption from, or postponement of the date of, payment of the charge on the grounds of hardship have been dealt with by the Board. In 2,850 cases, exemption from payment of one or more instalments was granted, whilst in 1,820 cases, the due date, or dates, were postponed in order to give the applicants time to effect payment without incurring the penalties provided by the Act. COLLECTION OF EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT CHARGE. Cash payments of the wages-tax are made to permanent post-offices, which also are responsible for the sale of stamps. Out of a total of £2,471,028 received into the Unemployment Fund from the charge on salary or wages, £1,216,685 was paid in cash and £1,254,343 accounted for by the sale of special relief-tax stamps. In October, 1932, inspectors were detailed to investigate the payment of wages-tax and the charge on " other income." The majority of breaches discovered by the inspectors have been found to be due to ignorance of the law; but cases have been found in which employers were deliberately avoiding payment of the tax. In all cases of the latter kind prosecutions have been instituted. MAORIS. Attention was directed in the previous report of the Board to the fact that the inauguration of the relief system had exposed the existence of a separate problem as far as Maoris were concerned; and in that report reasons were given to show that the time had arrived for the institution of comprehensive measures to settle them as individual settlers on the idle lands held by them in common ownership. A number of major developmental schemes having this purpose in view had been in progress for some time, under the direction of the Minister of Native Affairs, but the need existed for the expansion of the method and for a closer co-ordination of such activities with expenditure from the Unemployment Fund for relief among Maoris. The first of these requirements has been satisfied by legislation constituting a Native Land Settlement Board ; and the second by administrative co-operation between that Board and the Unemployment Board. Complete machinery, therefore, now exists for the directing of the Unemployment Board's Maori relief expenditure and of the Native Department's expenditure on Maori land settlement through one channel to a common end. Separate registers are now being kept of Maori unemployment registrations, and arrangements in some areas are in train and in others already operating which have the effect of utilizing Maori unemployment-relief labour on the development of their own lands in order that they may subsequently occupy the areas as independent settlers. Capital expenditure on cottages and farm improvements are being found by the Maori Land Settlement Board from sources other than the Unemployment Fund, which provides the labour-cost only. Expenditure under the latter head would, in any case, have to be met from the Unemployment Fund if the Maoris were retained on ordinary relief schemes. The object of the new policy is to serve a dual purpose in meeting the immediate need of relief by expending the money on development of land already owned by the Maoris in order that they may become self-supporting settlers. EXPENDITURE ON UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF IN RECENT YEARS. The cost to the State for the provision of unemployment-relief measures in recent years is shown by the following figures : —

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Publio Works nenartmonts . . Department State Forest Subsidies to Unemployment Tf . Year " (including Main Serviee. Zealand Local Bodies. Fund. Totals " Highways). ' Railways). £ £ £ £ £ £ 1926-27 .. 130,000 14,240 .. .. .. 144,240 1927-28 .. 379,565 27,550 .. 75,106 .. 482,221 1928-29 .. 680,393 50,250 3,500 68,566 .. 802,709 1929-30 .. 914,109 185,400 204,464 111,728 1,415,701 1930-31 .. 1,249,446 82,000 21,933 * 116,768 313,209 1,783,356 1931-32 .. 886,953 74,000 14,684 11,478 2,216,886 3,204,001 1932-33 397,632 .. 12,088 216 3,687,897 4,097,833 Totals .. 4,638,098 433,440 256,669 383,862 6,217,992 11,930,061

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NUMBERS OF UNEMPLOYED. Table I in the Appendix to this report shows the number of applicants for work remaining on the registers of employment bureaux at the end of each week during the period under review, registrations at urban areas being shown separately. As explained in the Board's report for 1932, these figures include men engaged on relief work through Scheme No. 5, the bulk of such work representing only part-time relief, although during the last twelve months increasing numbers of men have been put on to full-time work through the medium of this scheme. Reference to this aspect of unemployment relief will be found in a later paragraph, but it would be as well to explain here that, although such full-time employment bears a close resemblance to other types of relief work where the men are removed from the register and treated as placements, it has not been found practicable to effect payment of relief moneys to the majority of gold-prospectors, men doing developmental work on private properties or Crown lands, &c., without allocating the necessary funds through the nominal employing authorities. This being so, it is imperative to retain the men on the register under the existing system, and, indeed, if any other source were followed, the Board would lose the benefit of its continuous check on eligibility, with consequent danger of incurring needless expenditure. A general conspectus of unemployment registrations since the beginning of 1930 appears in the following table : —

These figures show month by month the numbers actually on the register, whether receiving relief or not, and have no connection with the total number of recipients of relief from the Unemployment Fund. Other detailed tables in the Appendix dissect these figures to show registered unemployed receiving relief as distinct from applicants who are ineligible or unplaced. As a barometer of the unemployment situation in New Zealand over an extensive period, these registration figures are extremely interesting. They depict the gradual rise in the numbers of workless during 1930, when the economic depression was advancing on the Dominion ; next, the sudden increase in the early part of 1931 with the figures ever rising to an unprecedented and unforeseen peak of over 56,000 at the end of the winter of 1932. This period of the year has proved, during the last three years, to be the most serious for those seeking employment. At the end of 1932, when the Board's second annual report was prepared, it was impossible to predict the position for the ensuing twelve months. Now that the year 1933 is drawing to its close it is apparent, however, that while the numbers of registered unemployed were considerably larger during its first six months than in the corresponding period of 1932 (approximately six thousand more at the end of the months of January, February, and March respectively), this position has not remained constant, and that the total registered unemployed at the peak period is very little higher than it was a year ago. The continued policy of the Board, however, in placing increasing numbers of unemployed men on full-time work in recognized trades, or other channels most calculated to benefit the Dominion and bring some definite return to the taxpayers as a whole, tends to detract from the statistical value of the numbers of registered unemployed as a true index. This creates a factor operating against any apparent ground for expectation either of reduced taxation or of extra monetary benefits to relief workers. Reference to Table II in the AppSndix will show the estimated numbers of males who were, in one way or another, a charge on the Unemployment Fund at the end of successive four-weekly periods since Ist October, 1932. Allowing for a certain amount of abuse by employers (actual or prospective) of the benefits offered by the Board in its search for suitable channels of work, it may be assumed that the majority of these men would be unemployed but for the existence of the Unemployment Fund or other Government measures for alleviating unemployment.

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1930. 1931. 1932. 1933. Last week in— January .. .. .. 2,572 16,607 45,654 51,698 February .. .. .. 2,520 27,662 44,107 49,971 March .. .. .. 3,130 38,028 45,383 51,035 April .. .. .. 3,379 36,981 50,093 53,171 May.. .. .. .. 5,084 42,523 53,543 55,477 June .. .. .. 5,491 45,264 54,342 56,563 July.. .. .. .. 5,360 47,772 55,837 57,169 August .. .. .. 5,463 50,033 56,332 56,750 September .. .. .. 6,025 51,375 55,728 56,173 October .. .. .. 6,018 50,284 54,549 November .. .. .. 7,402 47,535 52,477 December .. .. .. 11,371* 45,140 52,523 * This number recorded just prior to Christmas. In the following week the figure dropped to 7,596, owing to the placing of a considerable number of men on a special temporary scheme.

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A comparison of the totals on "relief " at the nearest date to the end of each quarter as shown in that table, with the corresponding dates back to June, 1931, reveals the following position : —

Total Numbers either wholly or partly a Charge on Unemployment Fund.

In spite of the continued increase in the numbers dependent on the fund for relief, there is cause for satisfaction in the fact that 1933 figures show a much smaller rise over 1932 as compared with the increase between 1931 and 1932. Taking the June quarter figures, we find the 1931-32 increase to be 16,800 as against 8,320 for 1932—33. On a September quarter comparison, the corresponding increases are 20,120 and 8,020 respectively. The percentage increases for these periods in respect of recipients of assistance from the Unemployment Fund are as follows :— End of 1931-32. 1932-33. Per Cent. Per Cent. June quarter .. .. .. .. .. .. 37-8 13-6 September quarter .. .. .. .. ..42-8 12-0 These figures, taken in conjunction with fluctuations in weekly registrations, indicate that the upward swing in numbers of workless experienced during the last three years is apparently arrested. Mention was made in the Board's previous report of the number of " unemployables " and other men included in registrations of unemployed, but not considered to be eligible for relief from the Unemployment Fund. A table dissecting the registrations at the end of each four-weekly period according to whether or not the men concerned received any relief under Scheme No. 5 during the period will be found in the Appendix. There is always a proportion of registered unemployed not engaged on relief work, of which a considerable number represents new registrations or re-registrations. Men excluded from awards of relief owing to doubtful eligibility include those who might have received some assistance from the Fund if sufficient finance had been available, but whose relative degree of necessity was hardly sufficient to warrant their participation in relief under prevailing conditions. The proportion under this heading during the last twelve months is not so high as during the previous year. A possible interpretation of this feature is that more applicants for work participated in relief under Scheme No. 5. Against this explanation is the fact that the proportion of definitely ineligible men has also dropped considerably, indicating that careful check on the eligibility of applicants has discouraged increasing numbers of men from keeping their registrations alive in the hope of participating in relief benefits to which they have no legitimate claim. Finally, it should be explained that since September, 1932, the returns of those who are a charge on the Unemployment Fund have been compiled once every four weeks instead of every calendar month, as previously. FARM SUBSIDY SCHEMES. Expenditure by the Board under Scheme No. 4a for the financial year ended 31st March, 1933 totalled £217,047. The number of men working on farms on a subsidized basis through the scheme at the end of each four weeks during the period under review is shown in Table II in the Appendix. The average number working throughout the twelve months ended 30th September, 1933, was approximately 5,200. " Under the Farm Camp Scheme small camps are set up on farmers' properties, and the labour utilized for developmental work only. Each camp absorbs a minimum of four single men, the remaining conditions of employment being similar to those laid down under the rules of Scheme No. 4a. At the end of September, 1933, some 2,700 men had been given employment under the Farm Camp Scheme, and there were 665 men in farm camps on the 30th September, 1933. As a result of the Board's decision in July, 1932, to raise the subsidy basis of Scheme No. 4b to 50 per cent, of the contract price, applications have increased during the year ended 30th September 1933, by 300 per cent, over the previous year. At the end of September, 1933, there were 1,601 contracts in force, providing for the employment of 4,703 men under Scheme No. 4b, while 2,835 contracts had been completed by that date. Some 5,822 men had been paid off as a result of completed contracts, so that altogether a total of 10,525 men had been placed under Scheme No. 4b at an estimated cost in subsidies of £104,870. From the

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Annual Increase. End of Quarter. 1931. 1932. 1933. 1 1931-32. 1932-33. March •• •• •• •• 47,520 61,070 .. 13,550 June .. .. .. 44,400 61,200 69,520 16,800 8,320 September .. .. .. 46,990 67,110 75,130 20,120 8,020 December .. .. .. 47,285 64,080 .. 16,795

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following statement some idea may be gained of the value to the community of the developmental work on farms already done or to be carried out eventually by means of contracts approved under this Scheme : — Acres. Scrub-cutting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 195,684 Bush-felling .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 31,361 Stumping, grubbing, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. 35,366 Sowing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,411 Ploughing and harrowing .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,587 Top-dressing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,098 Chains. Fencing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 65,776 Draining .. .. .. .. .. .. 55,056 Roading .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,096 Splitting posts, battens, and strainers — Number. Posts and strainers .. .. .. .. .. .. 164,918 Battens .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 129,100 It is estimated that the above work will make provision for the carrying of the following additional stock : Sheep, 226,017 ; cattle, 45,145 ; poultry, 500 ; pigs, 204 ; horses, 10. Scheme No. 11, which was formulated with the co-operation of the Department of Agriculture in September, 1932, for the purpose of checking the rabbit pest, was subject to restrictions during the year by way of reduced subsidies and curtailment in certain areas where the prices obtained for rabbitskins were sufficiently high for the workers so placed to continue in this work without assistance from the Unemployment Fund. On account of the excellent values being obtained for the skins the Board decided in June, 1933, to suspend the scheme in all districts; but as the price for skins has since become subject to a seasonal decrease the scheme has been reopened, on an amended basis, as from Ist September, 1933. Approximately 2,570 workers have been given employment for varying periods under this scheme. CAMP SCHEMES. A considerable amount of valuable work has been carried out by relief labour, both single and married men, employed under the various camp schemes which were described in detail in the Board's previous report. During the past year many additional camps have been established by the Public Works Department and Maiii Highways Board for the improvement of roads and highways, the establishment costs of the camps being met by the Department concerned, which also provides cookingutensils and food. Other camps have been established from time to time by the Public Works Department and by local bodies, both for road work and for land-improvement, especially land-drainage and other classes of developmental work. Afforestation also provides a most suitable form of reproductive work for the employment of relief labour, more particularly in view of the fact that the planting season falls in mid-winter. The Unemployment Board has approved of special rates of contribution in respect of registered and eligible unemployed men selected for camps established by the State Forest Service, whose planting activities during the past year would otherwise have been handicapped. As a result, over 30,000 acres of trees were planted with relief labour. The Board regards this type of work as one of the most useful avenues of employing relief labour, and it is on that account particularly gratified to have received reports of the interest taken in the work by the men and of their excellent conduct while so engaged. The numbers of men engaged under camp schemes at the end of each four weeks during the period now under review will be found in Table II of the Appendix. GOLD MINING AND PROSPECTING. Reference to the various divisions of the gold-prospecting scheme may be found in the Board's report for 1932. At the end of that year over seven hundred relief workers were prospecting in Central Otago, and some sensational finds were being made by subsidized men. These discoveries, besides attracting the interest of genuine investors who were ready to assist in a proper revival of the industry, unfortunately helped to create an artificial boom, resulting in intensive pegging of every available tract of likely gold-bearing country to the positive detriment of the Board's scheme. In general, subsidized men are unable to take the necessary steps to secure proper titles under the Mining Act because of the cost incurred. They were thus obliged to limit their operations to the small area which may legally be worked by virtue of a miner's right. The position arose that where subsidized men desired to transfer their operations to other areas, either on account of climatic conditions or lack of success on their small claims, no further suitable areas were available. This position was met promptly by the Board, which made representations to the Government, resulting in an amendment to the Mining Act being passed in the final stages of the 1932-33 session. Under this amendment the Board, with the consent of the Minister of Mines, may protect the interests of subsidized prospectors by having certain areas set aside for their use, and so prevent any other persons from obtaining mining privileges therein.

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In the early months of 1933 the reorganized scheme was extended to the Thames and Coromandel districts, and the Provinces of Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland, a Mining Executive Committee being formed at the headquarters of each county, except at Thames. In the latter place the Thames School of Mines acts as employing body. Three mining engineers have been detailed for duties at strategical points—one in the North Island, one in Nelson Province, and one on the west coast of the South Island. These officers assist the executives to select suitable areas on which to place additional men, and generally control the scheme from a technical and administrative aspect. Their services are wholly additional to the valuable help which is still made available by officers of the Mines Department and of the Public Works Department in connection with such matters as the testing of areas, surveyifig of and reporting on tracks, water-races, <fcc., and the construction or repair of these necessary adjuncts to the scheme. Assistance has been rendered to the gold-mining industry by the purchase of alluvial drills complete with engines and other accessories. Pending the selection of likely areas for boring, prior to the placement of numbers of unemployed on more comprehensive mining projects, these drills are, on occasions, hired to private concerns, thus helping the industry and ultimately leading, it is hoped, to the absorption of labour in permanent employment. At the end of September, 1932, there were some 1,400 men mining and prospecting for gold under the Board's subsidy schemes. The succeeding twelve months have seen this figure increased to 3,900, of which 3,400 are employed through the county-controlled scheme. Included in the latter figure are some seventy supervisors. The distribution of men throughout the various auriferous areas of New Zealand at 30th September, 1933, was approximately as follows:— North Island (Thames, Coromandel, &c.) .. .. .. .. 480 Marlborough Province .. ~ .. .. .. 150 Nelson Province .. .. .. .. .. 770 West Coast (including Buller County) .. .. .. 960 Central Otago .. .. .. :I ] 35Q Rest of Otago .. .. ; _ 240 Southland .. .. .. .. ~ (i 40 Total •• •• •• .. .. .. 3,900 The number of men mining and prospecting under subsidy from the Board in September, 1933, shows an increase of 2,500 over the corresponding figure for 1932, the percentage increase being 178-5! Owing to transfers from gold-prospecting back to other schemes, men absorbed in private work and so on, it is impossible to say how many individuals have taken part in the scheme. It is known, however, that some hundreds have had their names removed from the subsidy lists on account of their success in gold-winning, which, of course, is the ultimate object of the scheme. Most of these continue to prospect or mine without further assistance from the Unemployment Fund, while some have sought independence of varying degrees by selling out their interest to companies or syndicates. In the latter case the Board reserves the right to secure refund of assistance in excess of the usual 10 per cent, of the value of gold won during the subsidy period. Refund may be required up to the total assistance given by the Board, the actual amount being decided entirely on the merits of each case. One of the best features of the scheme is that nearly a thousand men have been transferred from relief work in the four main centres of population, where relief work, in general, is not of such a nature that the men can take continued interest in it. Gold-production this year shows a substantial increase over last year's figures, while the relative value is much higher. A proportion of this value is continually being returned to the Unemployment Fund, the refunds to date reaching a substantial figure and effecting a corresponding reduction in the net cost of the scheme. Under a subsidiary gold-mining scheme additional numbers of men have been transferred from relief work to subsidized full-time employment with mining companies and syndicates. SMALL-FARM PLAN. The Small-farm Plan represents an endeavour to remove men from a flooded employment market by placing them on small-farm allotments whereon they will eventually be in receipt of sufficient income, possibly supplemented by the receipts from casual work for neighbouring farmers, to enable them to live. The objects thus being effected are more intensive and extensive cultivation of farm lands, the creation of a larger number of small holdings, and the permanent settlement in country districts of a supply of casual labour which will meet the requirements of the larger farmers for seasonal works, without being thrown back on the labour-market during the slack season of farming operations. Since the passing of the Small Farms (Relief of Unemployment) Act, 1932-33, the plan has been operated under a Small Farms Board. The executive officer of the Board is the Commissioner of Small Farms. Regional committees have been set up to make available local knowledge in the selection of areas and settlers. Sustenance allowances, amounting to not more than £1 per week in any case, are granted by the Unemployment Board upon the recommendation of the Small Farms Board, after due consideration has been given to the occupier's revenue from all sources. The maximum period of sustenance granted at any one time is thirteen weeks, after which the applicant's position is fully reviewed.

2—H. 35.

9

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BUILDING SUBSIDY SCHEME. One of the main functions of the Unemployment Board as laid down by legislation is the stimulation of industry with the object of creating employment, and the Board having, by means of its various farm and camp schemes, extended assistance to the agricultural and pastoral industries, turned its attention to the building industry as being the one most in need of, and most suitable for, rejuvenation. The main considerations which led to the adoption of the No. 10 Scheme were:— (1) Next to the great primary industries it is the one that employs the largest number of workers; , (2) That the industry was a languishing one was beyond dispute ; (3) It is an industry in which raw materials do not bulk largely. Authoritative estimates place the cost of direct and indirect labour as high as 87 per cent, of the total cost of a completed dwelling ; (4) It employs a relatively high proportion of skilled labour, and, if the industry is dormant, not only are artisans losing their skill, but a proportion of the rising generation is denied an opportunity of acquiring it; and (5) The demand for dwellings is extremely elastic and there is little risk of supply exceeding the demand, provided that accommodation can be made available at a reasonable cost. The official building statistics, which cover the twenty-two principal centres of population in the Dominion, in the year 1930 (in which the first Unemployment Act was passed) permits for the erection of new buildings fluctuated between three and four hundred per month, and in 1931 between one and two hundred (only once exceeding the latter number), while in 1932 the lowest recorded number (ninety-four) was reached in the month of May. In the following month the original No. 10 Scheme was inaugurated and the monthly figures commenced to rise, reaching 159 in September, and after remaining near that mark until the end of the year again declined, until at the point of the reintroduction of the scheme in June, 1933, a new low record was established, only seventy-six permits for the erection of new buildings being issued during that month. This secondary decline in activity clearly indicated that the scheme had not been in existence for a period sufficient to fully re-establish confidence in the industry, but since its resumption indications are not lacking that this end is in process of achievement. The number of permits issued in July, 1933, was 205, and in August, 246, which is the highest recorded since December, 1930, while there is little doubt that further increases will yet appear. The total value of work for which permits were issued in 1930 was (in round figures) £6,000,000; in 1931, £3,500,000 ; for the first six months of 1932 (before the advent of the scheme), £800,000 ; and for the latter half of the year, £1,200,000. From January to June, 1933, the figure was again but little more than £800,000, while since then work of the value of approximately £5,000,000 has been approved under the No. 10 Scheme alone. It is probable that by the time all applications have been dealt with the total value of works authorized under the scheme will fall but little below £6,000,000. At the time of taking of the last census (1926) the number of male employees engaged in construction and repair of buildings was 22,815, and if this number declined proportionately to the decline in the value of building permits issued, there would have been less than four thousand men so employed in May, 1932. The original No. 10 Scheme was instrumental in providing employment (at the peak of its activities) for some 3,250 men, while the present scheme is now employing over six thousand. Subsidies granted under the original scheme totalled £130,000, while under the present scheme subsidies amounting to over £500,000 have been approved. It is of interest to note that every pound expended in subsidy is resulting in the unlocking of capital to the extent of approximately £8 and the expenditure in direct and indirect wages of nearly £7. The estimated wages-cost of work so far approved under the scheme is considerably in excess of £4,000,000. The actual position of the amended scheme at the latest available date is as follows:—

Of the total cost of the works approved, it is estimated that approximately £4,260,000 will be paid either directly or indirectly in wages to New Zealand workers. The applications declined are in respect of works not coming within the scope of the scheme, or those which, in the opinion of the Unemployment Board, would proceed without the assistance of a subsidy. The charge is frequently made that the beneficial effect of humanitarian legislation is to a certain extent nullified by harassing conditions and unnecessarily inquisitorial methods of administration. The reintroduction of No. 10 Scheme under less restrictive conditions provides an adequate refutation of this charge, for, while a proportion of those to whom subsidies were granted adopted a properly understanding and helpful attitude, the majority showed but little appreciation of the true purpose of the scheme, while others only too clearly evidenced a determination to beat the rules by every means possible.

10

Number of Number of Men to Total Value Applications. be employed. of Work. £ Approved .. .. .. .. 10,812 54,072 4,899,510 Declined .. .. .. .. 709 2,800 288,484 11,521 56,872 5,187,994

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UNEMPLOYED WOMEN AND GIRLS. The Board has continued the system whereby relief is granted to unemployed female wage-earners through local Women's Unemployment Committees, with the assistance of monetary grants from the Unemployment Fund. Women's Unemployment Committees are operating in the four chief centres and in ten secondary centres. During the financial year ended 31st March, 1933, the Board made grants to these committees for the relief of women's unemployment totalling over £16,000. The following table sets out the number of live registrations in the four centres as at 31st July, 1933, and shows the previous occupation of applicants for relief: — Previous Occupation. Registrations. Previous Occupation. Registrations. Office work .. .. .. 59 Nursing .. .. .. 13 Shop-assistants .. .. 86 Other .. .. .. 140 Factory employees .. .. 211 Domestic duties .. .. 466 Total.. .. .. 975 The registrations dissected according to ages are as under :— Age Groups. Registrations. Age Groups. Registrations. Sixteen to twenty .. .. 532 Over forty .. .. ..115 Twenty-one to twenty-five .. 168 Twenty-six to thirty .. .. 83 Total.. .. .. 975 Thirty-one to forty .. .. 77 The women's committees are active in finding positions for unemployed women and girls. During the four weeks ended 31st July, 1933, the committees in the four centres placed 113 in permanent work and 103 in temporary positions. These placements were mostly in private domestic service. UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS. • ') Following on the report submitted to the Government by Messrs. A. E. Ansell, M.P., and S. G. Smith, M.P., Boy Unemployment Committees have been set up in various centres, and these committees are doing exceptionally good work in finding positions for unemployed youths. During the twelve months ended 31st August, 1933, 4,458 positions have been found for boys by the committees operating in the four main centres. The Unemployment Board has assisted committees by making grants for the purpose of meeting administration expenses, and in some cases has paid the fares of boys and provided some clothing when they are sent to positions in the country. The Board has also authorized the payment of a subsidy for the training of sons of New Zealand soldiers at Flock House ; and over two thousand youths of from eighteen to twenty years of age have been assisted by the Board with subsidized farm employment. A limited number of boys between the ages of sixteen and twenty have been assisted on farms, where they receive a general training in farming methods. The Board is assisting the Wanganui Youths Sand-dune Afforestation Camp, in which fifty boys are employed. ISSUE OF BOOTS TO RELIEF WORKERS. An innovation by the Board during the recent winter was the issue of working-boots to relief workers. Hitherto workers under the Board's schemes have been remunerated with cash wages, or, in the case of workers in camps, cash wages together with food and accommodation. The Board generally favours the principle of paying the workers under its various schemes in cash, but there are occasions when a departure from this principle is justified. Stout working-boots are a commodity which every relief worker requires, and there was ample evidence available that a very large number of relief workers were inadequately shod for the work they were performing. Arrangements were accordingly made for the manufacture of a sufficiently large quantity of working-boots of the best quality to provide for an issue of one pair each to the workers under the Board's schemes. The issues have been proceeding for four months. In pursuance of the general policy of requiring work to be performed for relief given from the Unemployment Fund, the Board requires that each relief worker engaged on part-time relief work only, to whom boots are issued, shall perform one extra day's relief work in consideration therefor. Other relief workers engaged full time in camps, or on goldprospecting, are not required to work any additional time. Two types of working-boot —a heavy type and a lighter type —are available, and a worker may choose whichever type he desires. The boots are of first-rate quality, and have been greatly appreciated by the men. The value of the boots is considerably in excess of the monetary value of the day's work required of the recipients. The issue of boots is at present confined to part-time workers under the Board's relief schemes, camp workers (except where standard wages are paid), and gold-prospectors. The following shows the position at 30th September, 1933, in regard to boots ordered and the numbers that have been supplied to relief workers Number of pairs of working-boots — .. Ordered .. .. .. .. •• •• •• 64,194 Supplied by manufacturers .. .. .. .. .. 51,072 Issued to workers .. .. .. .. •• •• 48,916

3—H. 35.

11

H.—35.

In view of the urgency of the Board's demand and the necessity for spreading the work evenly throughout the country, orders for boots were placed with any factory which quoted reasonably competitive prices for boots of a quality approximating the standard set by the Board. In this way the total of 64,194 pairs of boots have been distributed amongst nineteen manufacturers. The Board s action in creating a demand for such a large quantity of locally made boots had a most stimulating effect on the boot and leather industry. Unemployed and partially unemployed boot operatives have been reabsorbed full time into their normal occupations, factories have accelerated their production, and hides have been in greater demand. MEAT SUPPLIES. Since last reporting the Board has assisted unofficial relief organizations by the distribution of approximately 16,000 carcases of meat. Supplies were purchased in bulk, held in cool storage till required, and sold to the various organizations at half the cost price. This facility has been of great service in meeting specially necessitous cases during the winter months. LOCAL UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEES. Thanks are due to Local Unemployment Committees for the valuable honorary services which they are rendering at a large number of centres. The Board derives materia] advantage from the assistance which can be given by bodies of responsible citizens acting in this capacity of co-trusteeship. STAFF. The Board desires to record its appreciation of the services rendered by the staff allotted to its office by the Government. These officers were drawn from practically all Departments of State to deal with an- entirely new and intricate problem. The complete lack of precedents called for unusual initiative , and the fact that all administrative action was directly personal in its ultimate effects rendered the voluminous work still more trying. Keen recognition of the special responsibilities attaching to their novel duties has been displayed by all members of the staff. Acknowledgment of their commendable public service is due also to certifying officers. These officers, except in a few principal centres where there are branches of the Labour Department, are Postma-sters. Their onerous functions as certifying officers for the Board have been superimposed on their normal duties. The added responsibilities incidental to maintaining a balanced relation between their concern with vital personal interests of relief fund beneficiaries, and their duty as local auditors of relief expenditure, have been discharged during the year with uniformly high purpose and with every satisfaction to the Board. VALUE OF RELIEF WORK. Ihe value of relief work carried out under the Unemployment Board's schemes, including Scheme No. 5, which remains the scheme under which by far the larger number are employed on an intermittent basis, is not yet fully appreciated. Reference to Table IV in the Appendix shows the relatively high proportion of men a charge on Scheme No. 5 who are definitely engaged on reproductive work. The proportion of men so engaged ranges from 32-5 per cent, of the whole in March, 1933, to 36-7 per cent, in August, 1933. These calculations do not include the gold-prospectors who are operating under Scheme No. 5 as distinct from Scheme No. 8 which deals wholly with gold miners and prospectors. An examination of 'Fable II indicates the Board's activities during the past year in absorbing the unemployed where they are enabled to work full time, additional remuneration over the Board's subsidy being provided by the employing authorities. The following table gives a summary of the position :—

It will be seen that there was an increase during the year of over 100 per cent, in the numbers employed on developmental work under the schemes quoted.

12

Number of Men employed at Increase. Scheme. 29th October, 30th September, „ , 1932. 1933 Number. Per Cent. Scheme No. 4b .. .. .. 2,094 4,703 2,609 124-6 Camp schemes .. .. .. 2,989 3,853 864 28-9 Public Works jobs at standard rates of pay 619 2,063 1,444 233-3 Gold mining and prospecting .. 1,430 3,908 173-3 Totals •• •• •• j 7,132 14,527 7,395 103-7

H.—35.

The figure 48,743 at 30th September, 1933, representing men employed on Scheme No. 5, can be reduced considerably if it is desired to show only those men who are in receipt of part-time relief work. A recent special investigation revealed that approximately 3,700 men registered and receiving Scheme No. 5 relief have their relief pay supplemented for full-time work by the employing authorities. In the case of these men, it is convenient to retain them on the register, but the Scheme No. 5 payment is applied as a subsidy in the majority of cases, precisely as with other schemes where men come off the register. An analysis of this number follows :— Scheme No. 5. —Work on which Relief Labour was engaged at 30th September, 1933, the Men's Relief Pay being supplemented for Full-time Employment. Class of Work. Number of Men. General land-development, including work " over the fence " .. .. 1,320 Land-drainage .. .. .. .. ~ .. 220 Improvement of backblock roads .. .. • .. .. .. 1 025 Other reproductive work .. .. .. .. ~ ~ 40 Total, reproductive .. .. .. .. .. 2,605 Improvement of arterial roads .. .. .. .. .. 240 Local-body work, mainly in cities and towns .. .. .. .. 405 New Zealand Railways (married men at standard rates) .. .. .. 155 Other work .. .. .. .. ~ .. _ _ 295 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,095 Total, all classes of work .. .. .. .. 3,700 Note. Of the total of 3,700 shown above, approximately 490 were single men and 3,210 married men. Actually, therefore, only 45,043 men were being employed for rationed periods of work under Scheme No. 5 at 30th September, 1933, and this number may be further reduced by excluding 625 intermittent workers in certain industries who were allowed to register and receive supplementary assistance from the Unemployment Fund. The Board has recently compiled a statement of the amount of reproductive work done in rural districts through the employment of relief labour from Ist January, 1932, up to 30th June, 1933. This statement comprises Table Vin the Appendix. Some of the principal items of work completed are : Formation, widening, or metalling of backblock roads (dray width), 1,882 miles ; bushfelling, 4,320 acres ; stumping and logging, 10,375 acres ; scrub-cutting, 120,887 acres ; land clearing and levelling, 22,856 acres; fencing, 243 miles; river-improvement work, 236 miles; land-drainage, 1,230 miles; and tree-planting, 42,100 acres. Adam Hamilton, Chairman. Jas. S. Jessep, Deputy-Chairman. Walter Bromley,") P. E. Climie, j 11 "" 1 " 5 ™- G. C. Godfrey, Member, and Commissioner of Unemployment.

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APPENDIX.

Table I.—Showing Numbers remaining on Unemployment Registers of Labour Department at end of each Week, October, 1932, to September, 1933.

Note.—The above figures include all men receiving relief under Scheme No. 5, but do not include unemployed men who have been transferred from the Registers to farm subsidy and other relief schemes of the Unemployment Board. See letterpress under heading " Numbers of Unemployed " at page 6. The table is presented on a different basis from that in last year's report, in that registrations are shown separately for each " urban area." Previously the figures published for individual cities represented registrations at the main bureaux only. This year, in the case of the four main centres, they include registrations at sub-offices within the " urban area."

14

APPENDIX. Table I. —Showing Numbers remaining on Unemployment Registers of Labour Department at end op each Week, October, 1932, to September, 1933. Urban Areaa. a ■§ 8 | . || 1 j I I i al 1 !» I g 51 p I f if fi | T0tal8 - ill i i *i i is I I -i i i Ii ii <j|KO a Pli HP O 1932. Oct. 8 .. 10,278 590 1,686 869 868 604 1,303 1,271 6,624 500 5,338 855 3,760 1,240 35,786 19,738 55,524 „ 15 .. 10,139 583 1,687 917 856 610 1,315 1,218 6,679 501 5,308 846 3,721 1,244 35,624 19,702 55,326 „ 22 .. 10,151 582 1,744 928 778 603 1,295 1,213 6,575 500 5,397 847 3,721 1,229 35,563 19,539 55,102 ,,29 .. 10,074 575 1,713 901 777 608 1,263 1,229 6,603 487 5,289 845 3,710 1,236! 35,310 19,239 54,549 Nov. 5 .. 9,978 571 1,642 981 687 603 1,252 1,213 6,541 488 5,296 824 3,751 1,215 35,042 19,140 54 182 „ 12 .. 9,914 555 1,492 972 709 589 1,229 1,161 6,489 497 5,294 835 3,720 1,204 34,660 18,804 53 464 „ 19 .. 9,915 557 1,371 940 695 585 1,201 1,180 6,457 478 5,250 830 3,674 1,208 34,341 18,558 52 899 „ 26 .. 9,864 551 1,376 905 685 578 1,174 1,191 6,496 475 5,249 830 3,641 1,193 34,208 18,269 52 477 Dec. 3 .. 9,790 536 1,456 901 665 586 1,153 1,192 6,572 478 5,704 819 3,639 1 172 34,663 18,122 52 785 „ 10 .. 9,806 539 1,276 891 649 576 1,129 1,191 6,627 479 5,753 786 3,616i 1,171 34,489 18,021 52*510 „ 17 .. 9,832 536 1,218 868 655 556 1,089 1,198 6,674 478 5,824 801 3,603 1,137 34,469 18 005 52 474 ,,24 .. 9,808 539 1,221 876 680 563 1,130 1,195 6,703 489 5,828 811 3,592 1,121 34,556 18,068 52*624 „ 31 .. 9,685 544 1,221 873 664 559 1,144 1,195 6,676 489 5,762 802 3,678 1,130 34,422 18,101 52,523 1933. Jan. 7 .. 9,710 555 1,256 907 676 571 1,108 1,126 6,678 459 5,832 761 3,700 1,109 34,448 18,210 52 658 „ 14 .. 10,093 586 1,171 933 686 582 1,139 1,226 6,752 434 5,887 781 3,650 954 34,874 18,178 53,052 „ 21 .. 10,154 613 1,178 918 709 590 1,150 1,239 6,804 430 5,853 720 3,494 925 34,777 17,926 52,703 ,,28 .. 10,227 615 1,143 905 695 579 1,115 1,240 6,408 425 5,710 709 3,474 890 34,135 17,563 51,698 Feb. 4 .. 10,264 630 1,145 928 701 563 1,106 1,242 6,174 443 5,677 695 3,414 848 33,830 17,420 51 250 „ 11 10,253 642 1,141 956 699 571 1,107 1,222 6,137 427 5,706 629 3,346 835 33,671 17,048 50 719 „ 18 .. 10,300 638 1,117 961 678 570 1,110 1,212 6,157 409 5,726 611 3,323 792 33,604 16,752 50,356 „ 25 .. 10,240 632 1,117 980 691 588 1,090 1,211 6.127 406 5,612 593 3,328 785 ! 33,400 16,571 49,971 Mar. 4 .. 10,264 615 1,111 986 698 588 1,126 1,213 6,250 404 5,561 607 3,291 809i 33,523 16,632 50 155 ,,H •• 10,298 628 1,140 999 701 583 1,124 1,214 6,273 392 5,492 646 3,270 813' 33,573 16,836 50 409 „ 18 •• 10,331 633 1,180 979 703 574 1,135 1,242 6,294 397 5,441 676 3,237 808)33,630 17,091 50 721 ,,25 .. 10,276 626 1,181 1,012 708 558 1,162 1,236 6,384 436 5,503 700| 3,242 862 33,886 17,149 5l'o35 April 1 .. 10,307 612 1,177 1,060 703 556 1,164 1,236 6,459 477 5,535 672! 3,225 906 34,089 17,440 51 529 8 .. 10,375 636 1,176 1,055 722 558 1,177 1,250 6,408 493 5,568 677; 3,245 835 34,175 17 604 51 779 „ 15 •• 10,376 652 1,196 1,049 743 573 1,171 1,251 6,483 513 5,496 674' 3,264 826 34,267 17 829 52'o96 ,, 22 .. 10,532 661 1,167 1,043 758 577 1,190 1,249 6,558 533 5,560 673 ; 3,247 879 34,627 17 946 52*573 „ 29 .. 10,642 645 1,165 1,044 781 572 1,249 1,257 6,609 576 5,539 670, 3,274 903 34,926 18,245 53'l71 May 6 .. 10,701 653 1,192 1,071 814 582 1,271 1,282 6,682 573 5,600 674 3,261 882 35,238 18 613 53*851 „ 13 .. 10,720 670 1,219 1,095 814 598 1,302 1,298 6,891 592 5,648 661 3,286 891 35,685 18,867 54*552 „ 20 .. 10,821 669 1,235 1,086 826 607 1,307 1,305 6,855 572 5,726 684 3,321 924 35,938 19 060 54 998 ,, 27 .. 10,876 655 1,216 1,107 853 601 1,347 1,292 6,867 581 5,746 707 3,381 932 36,161 19 316 55*477 June 3 .. 10,906 647 1,221 1,104 883 609 1,360 1,303 6,941 600 5,784 728 3,406 941 36,433 19,532 55*965 „ 10 .. 10,894 664 1,197 1,104 891 616 1,403 1,309 6,961 622 5,770 728 3,423 902 36,484! ig'509 55*993 ,, I? •• 10,952 689 1,208 1,106 897 607 1,424 1,328 6,963 609 5,793 740 3,411 932 36,659! 19,637 56*296 ,,24 .. 11,020 677 1,240 1,113 886 605 1,431 1,317 7,052 605 5,834 756 3,416 911 36,863 19,700 56 563 July 1 •• 11,100 670 1,241 1,118 886 613 1,439 1,344 7,054 622 5,824 757 3,437 942 37,047 19,766 56*813 ,,8 .. 11,184 679 1,251 1,112 868 624 1,447 1,333 7,038 640 5,910 761 3,438 1,006 37,29l! 19,742 57*033 „ 15 •• 11,197 690 1,259 1,122 890 622 1,451 1,342 7,101 633 6,035 767 3,432 1,030 37,571 ! 19 754 57*325 ,, 22 .. 11,319 680 1,207 1,124 898 628 1,450 1,326 7,018 639 6,056 772 3,407 1,010 37,534 19 818 57*352 ,,29 .. 11,236 663 1,222 1,112 888 638 1,454 1,324 6,978 614 6,108 780 3,434 969 37,420 19 749 57'l69 Aug. 5 .. 11,250 653 1,217 1,088 905 634 1,451 1,294 7,014 618 6,196 771 3,444 979 37,514 19*799 57*313 » 12 .. 11,225 626 1,231 1,123 90(i 614 1,456 1,274 7,055 603 6,149 767 3,424 962 37,415 19 716 57'l31 » 10 •• 11,251 609 1,223 1,132 907 610 1,463 1,279 7,034 598 6,170 770 3,397 920 37,363 19*551 56*914 ,, 26 .. 11,289 622 1,209 1,133 914 604 1,455 1,279 7,061 584 6,141 770 3,373 897 37,331 19 419 56*750 Sept. 2 .. 11,366 625 1,189 1,129 932 598 1,444 1,282 7,111 588 6,170 774 3,374 900 37,482; 19*419 56*901 ,,9 .. 11,324 602 1,201 1,132 923 591 1,440 1,264 7,105 592 6,174 784 3,376 933 37,441 19 440 56*881 ,,16 •• 11,350 571 1,169 1,117 928 595 1,438 1,264 7,090 591 6,170 770 3,398 918 37,369 19,325 56*694 „ 23 .. 11,388 585 1,151 1,119 892 590 1,426 1,246 7,011 560 6,101 768 3,356 892 37,085: 19,184 56*269 ,< 30 .. 11,410 595 1,127 1,118 881 594 1,414 1,244 6,989 566 6,067 779 3,343 910 37,037 19,136 56 J73 Note.—The above figures include all men receiving relief under Scheme No. 5, but do not include unemployed men who have been transferred from the Registers to farm subsidy and other relief schemes of the Unemployment Board. See letterpress under heading " Numbers of Unemployed " at page 6. The table is presented on a different basis from that in last year's report, in that registrations are shown separately for each " urban area." Previously the figures published for individual cities represented registrations at the main bureaux only. This year, in the case of the four main centres, they include registrations at sub-offices within the " urban area."

H.—35.

Table II.—Registered Unemployed and other Males either wholly or partly a Charge on the Unemployment Fund at the End of Successive Four-weekly Periods.

Note.—Maoris employed on development schemes under the control of the Native Department are excluded from this table.

15

Period ended 29th Oct., 26th Nov., 24th Dec., 21st Jan., 18th Feb., 18th Mar., 15th April, 13th May, 10th June, 8th July, 5th Aug., 2nd Sept., 30th Sept, 1932. 1932. 1932. 1933. 1933. 1933. 1933. 1933. 1933. 1933. 1933. 1933. 1933. , ■. 1 I I I ! (a) Applicants for Work on Registers of Government Employment Bureaux at End of Period. Men on registers unplaced or ineligible for unemployment relief 6,206 5,348 5,199 6,272 5,394 5,585 5,312 5,830 5,802 5,511 5,125 4,517 4,301 for various reasons Men on registers who received relief under Scheme No. 5 during 47,183 45,908 46,166 45,112 43,493 43,374 44,416 46,085 47,337 48,704 49,219 49,299 48,743 the period (excluding gold-prospectors) Total men on registers (excluding gold-prospectors) .. 53,389 51,256 51,365 51,384 48,887 48,959 49,728 51,915 53,139 54,215 54,344 53,816 53,044 (b) Workers engaged in Industrial Undertakings whose Earnings were, subsidized from the Unemployment Fund at End of Period. Farm workers — Scheme No. 4a .. .. .. .. .. 8,174 6,248 5,308 4,698 4,315 4,555 4,973 4,656 5,234 5,806 5,937 3,733 3,£82 Scheme No. 4b .. .. .. .. .. 2,094 2,615 2,622 2,386 2,549 2,514 2,326 2.910 3,107 3,281 3,939 4,608 4,703 Other farm schemes .. .. .. .. .. 983 1,194 1,279 1,258 1,319 1,381 1,749 1,676 1,636 1,624 1,690 1,526 1,525 Building tradesmen and builders'labourers under Scheme No. 10 2,133 2,681 3,243 2,500 2,187 1,808 1,045 753 477 614 2,411 4,595 6,360 Workers in Public Works Department, State Forest, and local body camps under Scheme No. 6 (principally single men) — Land-development .. .. .. .. .. 1,379 1,401 1,402 1,488 1,637 1,724 1,736 1,681 1,718 1,714 1,680 1,907 1,640 Highways and backblock roads .. .. .. .. 995 889 859 568 862 898 985 966 1,011 1,088 1,184 1,264 1,205 Afforestation .. .. .. .. .. .. 615 499 469 287 291 409 322 344 781 1,137 1,232 1,199 1,008 Workers employed by Public Works Department at standard rates of pay (principally married men) — Land development .. .. .. .. .. 284 287 287 299 465 451 677 730 769 757 675 830 716 Roads .. .. .. .. .. .. 335 603 792 1,196 1,115 1,366 1,642 1,533 1,356 1,093 1,153 1,187 1,347 Gold miners and prospectors — Subsidized men, supervisors, &c., under Scheme No. 5 .. 1,160 1,221 1,259 1,319 1,469 1,762 2.368 2,637 2,854 2,818 2,969 3,085 3,129 Subsidized men, in parties, under Scheme No. 8a .. .. 265 246 215 245 387 389 414 472 646 687 662 653 666 Employed by companies and syndicates under Scheme No. 8b 5 9 17 47 46 66 134 137 95 113 113 114 113 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. .. 160 162 164 190 338 370 156 122 95 87 102 110 97 l Totals .. .. .. .. .. .. 18,582 18,055 17,916 16,481 16,980 17,693 18,527 18,617 19,779 20,819 23,747 24,811 I 26,391 ■ ; (c) Total Number of Males who were wholly or partly a Charge on 65,765 63,963 64,082 61,593 60,473 61,067 62,943 64,702 67,116 69,523 72,966 74,110 75,134 the Unemployment Fund

H.—35

Table III. —Approximate Numbers of Registered Unemployed according to Eligibility for Relief under Scheme No. 5 at End of Successive Four-weekly Periods.

16

Classification. Period ended Eligible Men who Registered less Definitely Total were receiving than Fourteen i " ,7?'', not Registered Relief. Days. Eligibility! Eligible. Unemployed. 1932. Numbers of Men. October 29 .. .. .. , 48,340 i 2,020 3,580 610 54,550 November 26 .. .. .. 47,130 1,980 2,780 590 52,480 December 24 .. .. .. 47,420 j 1,980 2,660 560 52,620 1933. January 21 .. .. .. .. 46,430 j 2,520 J 3,200 550 52,700 February 18 .. .. .. 44,960 2,060 2,910 430 50,360 March 18 .. .. .. .. 45,140 2,620 2,540 ' 420 50,720 April 15 .. .. .. .. 46,780 | 2,660 | 2,230 I 430 52,100 May 13 .. .. .. .. 48,720 j 2,860 j 2,430 540 54,550 June 10 .. .. .. .. 50,190 ! 2,770 [ 2,540 | 490 55,990 Julys .. .. .. .. 51,520 2,730 1 2,350 | 430 57,030 August 5 .. .. .. .. 52,190 j 2,990 1,830 j 300 57,310 September 2 .. .. .. 52,380 2,120 2,080 320 56,900 September 30 .. .. .. 51,870 j 1,960 1,970 370 56,170 1932. Percentage of Totals. October 29 .. .. .. .. i 88-6 3-7 6-6 1 1 100 0 November 26 .. .. .. 89-8 3-8 5-3 1-1 100-0 December 24 .. .. .. 90-1 3-8 5-0 1 1 100 0 1933. January 21 .. .. .. .. 88-1 4-8 6 1 1 0 100 0 February 18 .. .. .. 89-3 41 5-8 0-8 1000 March 18 .. .. .. .. 89 0 5-2 5-0 0-8 100-0 April 15 .. .. .. .. 89-8 5-1 4-3 0-8 100-0 May 13 .. .. .. .. 89-3 5-2 4-5 1-0 100-0 June 10 .. .. .. .. 89-6 5-0 4-5 0-9 100-0 July 8 .. .. .. .. 90-3 4-8 4-1 0-8 100-0 August 5 .. .. .. .. 91-1 5-2 3-2 0-5 100-0 September 2 .. .. .. 92-1 3-7 3-6 0-6 100-0 September 30 .. .. .. 92-3 3-5 3-5 0-7 100-0

H.—35.

17

Table IV.—Scheme No. 5: Approximate Numbers of Men employed on various Classes of Work (excluding Gold-prospecting) at Four-weekly Periods.

29th Oct., 26th Nov., 24th Dec., 21st Jan., 18th Feb., 18th March, 15th April, 13th May, 10th June, 8th July, 5th Aug., 2nd Sept., 30th Sept., 1932. 1932. 1932. 1933. 1933. 1933. 1933. 1933. 1933. 1933. 1933. 1933. 1933. Classes of Work. j " " j T i T T" ~ "| Number . **« Number , as Number . Number . Number . Number . st * Number . &]§ Number . §>]f Number . §>]! Number , fccj Number . §)]§ Number , Number , &)$ of o| c of S|o of Sfo of pSo of pSo of tSc of %2p of S-So of S35 of Sfo of 0 f g-go. G f fc-2 1 Men. Men. - Men. * Men. Men. " Men. Men. Men. Men. Men. - Men. Men. Men. ! _ © «o °o| ° o ° o «o «o ° O O ° o «o ° O ° o . j j ; Reproductive Work. General land-development (including vege- 7,000 14-8 6,820 14-8 6,800 14-7 5,455 12-1 5,74") 13-2j 5,215 12-0 5,290! 11 -9 5,030 10-9 5,545 11-7 5,750 11 -8 5,670 11-5 5,830 11 -8 5,460 11-2 table-growing) Land-drainage .. .. .. 2,940 6-2 2,865 6-2 2,745 6-0 2,615 5-8 2,810 6-5 2,830 6-5 3,065! 6-9 3,075 6-7 3,450 7-3 3,345 6-9 3,460 7-0 3,350 6-8 3,205 6-6 Improvement of backblock roads .. 2,360 5-0 2,420 5-3 2,585 5-6 2,280 5-1 2,735 6-3 2,980 6-9 3,105' 7-0 3,595 7-8 3,735 7-9 4,125 8-5 4,310 8-8 3,845 7-8 3,935 8 1 Protection against river and sea erosion .. 1,960 4-2 1,785 3-9 1.480 3-2 1,545 3-4 1,400 3-2 1,320 3-0 1,430 3-2 1,570 3-4 1,640 3-5 1,935 4-0 2,295 4-7 2,300 4-7 2,530 5-2 Afforestation.. .. .. 920 2-0 790 1-7 970 2-1 820 1-8 690 1-6 730 1-7 790 1-8 635 1-4 865 1-8 945 1-9 1,070 2-2 1,040! 2-1 860 1-8 Reclamation (including prevention of sand- 1,050 2-2 960 2-1 985 2-1 740 1-6 735 1-7 785 1-8 760 1-7 675 1-4 730 1-5 810 1-7 835 1-7 790 1-6 805 1-6 drifts) Other reproductive work .. .. 980 2-1 900 2 0 1,025 2-2 1,515 3-4 185 0-4 250 0-6 210 0-5 310 0-7 365 0-8 310 0-6 410 0-8 315 0-6 275 0-5 Total men on reproductive work .. 17,210 36-516,540 36 016, 590 35-9:14,970 33-214,300 32-914,110 32-514,650 33-014,890 32-316,330 34-517,220 35-418,050 36-717,470! 35-417,070 35-0 Other Work. Formation and improvement of streets, 18,100 38-418.000 39-218,240 39-518,370 40-7 17,330 39-817,310 39-918,000 40-518,550 40-318,420 38-918,195 37-417,580 35-718,000 36-517,670 36-3 roads, &e. Improvement of domains, parks, and 5,255 11-1 5,100 11-1 5,295 11-5 5,315 11-8 5,605 12-9 5,440 12-6 5,760 13-0 5,950 12-9 5,660 12-0 5,645 11-6 5,875 11-9 6,050 12-3 6,170 12-7 reserves Improvement- of school and hospital grounds 3,280 6-9 2,995 6-5 3,000 6-5 2,630 5-8 2,710 6-2 2,980 6-9 2,920 6-6 3,120 3,070 6-5 3,225 6-6 3,290 6-7 3,255 6-6 3 070 6-3 Sewerage and water-supply .. .. 835 1-8 890 2-0 910 2-0 965 2-1 985 2-3 925 2-1 820 1-8 980 2-1' 1,060 2-2 1,385 2-8 1,185 2-4 1,065 2-2 1,285 2-6 Miscellaneous .. .. .. 2,500 5-3 2,385 5-2 2,135 4-6 2,860 6-4 2,560 5-9 2,605 6-0 2,270 5-1 2,600 5-6 2,800 5-9 3,030 6-2 3,240 6-6 3,460 7-0 3,475 7-1 Total men on other classes of work .. 29,970 63-529,370 64-029,580 64-130,140 66-829,19(1 67-129,260 67-529,770 67-031,200 67-731,010 65-5 31,480 64-631,170 63-331,830 64-631,670 65-0 Grand totals (excluding gold-prospectors) 47,180 100-045,910 100-046, 170 100-045, 110 100-043,490 100-0 43,370 100-0 44,420 100-0 46,090 100-047,340100-048,700 100-049,220 100-049,300 100-048,740100-0 I "J i I . I- . ' I I !

H.—35.

Table V.—Work done through Public Works Department and Rural Local Bodies by Relief Labour with Assistance from the Unemployment Fund between 1st January, 1932, and 30th June, 1933.

Approximate Coit of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (1,110 copies), £26 10s.

Price 9*i.]

By Authority: G. H. Loney, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 933.

18

Carried out by Total Class of Work. Amount of Public Works Rural Work. Department, j Local Bodies. Baokblook roads (dray width) — Miles. Miles. Miles. Formation .. .. .. . • • • • • • • 90 325 415 Widening .. .. .. .. • • • • • • 676 829 Metalling .. .. .. .. • ■ • • • • 307 331 638 Totals 550 1,332 1,882 Land drainage—excavation of drains .. .. .. .. 117 1,113 1,230 River control works — ~~~ Willow-clearing (see also under" Aores") .. . • • • 41 91 132 Stop-banking .. • • • • • • • • • • 6 59 Channel-excavation (see also under" Cubic yards") .. .. .. 39 39 Totals 47 189 236 Fencing .. ... .. ... •• - •• 15 , 2 28 243 Hawthorn-hedge cutting (fireblight protection) .. .. .. 69 .. 69 Track construction and repair, preparatory to gold mining and prospecting .. j 123 123 Irrigation works: Race construction and widening .. .. .. 30 .. 30 General land-improvement— Acres. I Acres. Acres. Scrub-cutting.. .. .. .. •• •- • • 10,955 109,932 120,887 Clearing noxious weeds .. .. .. •• . • | 6,325 15,514 21,839 Stumping and logging (heavy) .. .. .. .. ' 1,624 3,747 5,371 Stumping and logging (light) .. .. .. .. .. 1,044 3,960 5,004 Bushfelling .. .. .. .. •• •• •• 347 3,973 4,320 Clearing boulders . .. .. .. • • •• •• 812 25 837 Land-levelling .. .. .. •. • • • • 135 45 180 Totals .. .. .. .. •• •• 21,242 137,196 158,438 Sand-dune reclamation: Marram-grass planting .. .. .. 6,276 69 6,345 Tree-planting .. .. .. .. • • • • • • 250 150 400* River-control — Willow-clearing (see also under" Miles") .. .. •• •• 1,922 1,922 Cub. yds. Cub. yds. Cub. yds. Channel-excavation (see also under" Miles") .. .. .. 103,491 323,590 427,081 Irrigation works : Dams for reservoirs— Rock excavated . . .. .. •• •• •• 7,700 .. 7,700 Rock quarried .. .. .. .. • • ■ • 200 .. 200 Concrete placed .. .. • • • • • • • • 510 .. 510 Chains. Chains. Chains. Gold-prospecting: Construction of water-races, fluming, &c. .. .. 331 6,405 6,736 Number. Number. Number. Cutting and splitting posts and battens .. .. .. .. •• 12,592 12,592 Construction of concrete pipes .. . . .. .. •• •• 3,575 3.575 * Also 41,700 acres planted by State Forest Service.