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1929. NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR (REPORT OF THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

REPORT. The Secretary, Department of Labour, to the Hon. the Minister op Labour. Department of Labour, Wellington, 20th July, 1929. Sir, — I have the honour to present herewith the thirty-eighth annual report of this Department, for the information of His Excellency the Governor-General, and to be laid before Parliament, in compliance with the Labour Department Act, 1908, and the Factories Act, 1921-22. The report covers the financial year Ist April, 1928, to 31st March, 1929. I have, &c., F. W. Rowley, The Hon. the Minister of Labour. Secretary of Labour. UNEMPLOYMENT. The number of applications pending at the Department's employment bureaux rose steadily during the year from 2,578 on the 2nd April, 1928, to the " peak " —viz., 3,414—0n the 4th June, 1928. It was expected that the number would continue to increase as the winter progressed, until August; it dropped, however, week by week to 1,788 on the 10th December last, again (after the Christmas holidays) rising progressively to 2,787 at the end of the year (31st March, 1929), and to 3,896 on the Bth July, since when the total has again decreased. Total engagements made at the Department's employment bureaux during 1928-29 (in addition to 908 men placed locally by Engineers on Government relief works), were 6,409 for the Public Works Department, 1,494 for other Government works, 5,259 for local bodies, and 3,201 for private employment —total, 17,271 ; dependants, 29,932 ; in addition 422 other persons were assisted by the advancing of railway fares or otherwise. In 1927-28 there were 15,246 engagements—s,66o for the Public Works Department and other Government works, 5,658 for local bodies, and 3,928 for private employment; dependants, 29,639. Of the number placed on Government works during 1928-29 (viz., 8,811) 6,126 left the works of their own accord.

Table showing Number of Applicants at Department's Bureaux during past Eight Years, showing also the variation between the Winter and Summar Months.

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, r „ , , „ , Minimum Number (with Month) Maximum Number (with Year from 1st December to 30th November. excluding Christmas Holiday Period. Month). 1921-22 .. .. .. .. 8881,825—June. 1922 -23 .. .. .. .. 516 953—June. 1923-24 .. .. .. .. 268 629—August. 1924-25 239 , Dpcember 792-July. 1925-26 .. .. .. .. 344 f member 2,247—June. 1926-27 .. .. .. •• 1,086 J 2,928—August. 1927-28 .. .. •• 1,575 | 3,414—June. 1928-29 .. .. .. 1,788J 3,896—July.