H.—lis.

20

dependants ; 729, three dependants ; 443, four dependants ; and 438 five dependants or over. There were 3,593 New-Zealand-born, while 2,291 of those born outside New Zealand had been in the Dominion for two years or over, so that recent arrivals accounted for only a small proportion of the total, some 48 applicants on the register being of less than six-months residence, while 97 men had not resided in New Zealand for twelve months. The age-distribution table shows that 1,438 applicants on the register were under 25 years of age, while 2,616 were between age 25 and age 44 ; the age-group 45-64 including 1,871 men, while 118 were 65 years of age or over. There were 1,151 men fit for light work only. This number represents 19 per cent, of the total. The classification according to the period on the registers shows that 4,534 men had been registered for under three months, 987 between three and twelve months, and 522 for twelve months or over. It is interesting to note that the results of the classification made on 14th October, when the number of men classified was 6,377, compare very closely with those obtained in the months preceding, when the number of applicants on the register varied between 2,000 and 3,800. The percentage of labourers to the total applicants on the register on 14th October, 1929 (54 per cent.), is somewhat lower than that in previous months, the figures for the past twelve months being : 1928 —November, 58 ; December, 58. 1929 —January, 66 ; February, 60; March, 65 ; April, 65 ; May, 66 ; June, 66 ; July, 65 ; August, 61 ; September, 65 ; and October, 54 per cent. The recent pronouncement of the Government regarding the placing of applicants stated that skilled work would be found as far as was possible for tradesmen. Possibly this has caused a greater proportion of tradesmen to register than was previously the case. The large sudden increase in the number of new registrations is reflected in the classification according to period on the unemployment registers, the number included in the class " Under three months " increasing from 1,465 on 9th September to 4,534 on 11th November, whereas the class " Three but under twelve months " showed an increase from 689 to 987, and the class " Twelve months and over " from 440 to 522. The table showing the duration of unemployment during the past six months compares very closely with the results of a similar classification made in September. Despite the fact that the number of men covered by this classification was only 2,564 in September as compared with 5,482 in October, the average duration of unemployment is practically the same, showing that the sample taken in the earlier month was a good representation as regards duration of unemployment. The actual percentages unemployed in the various groupings made are —

The dependency classification is practically identical for the past few months. Approximately 40 per cent, of the men have no dependants ; 15 or 16 per cent., one dependant; 16 or 17 per cent., two ; 13 per cent., three ; Bor 9 per cent., four ; and Bor 9 per cent., five dependants or over. The actual percentages for the past six months are —•

Tlie proportion of New-Zealand-born among the applicants on the register has varied between 55 and 60 per cent, in the last six months, the figure for 14th October being 59 per cent. Between 11 and 19 per cent, of the men are fitted for light work only, the figure for October (19 per cent.) being somewhat higher than the normal.

Percentages of Total. Duration of Unemployment during past Six Months. September, 1929. October, 1929. Per Cent. Per Cent. Under 2 weeks .. .. . > .. 4 5 2 but under 4 weeks .. .. .. 7 7 4 „ 6 „ .. .. .. 11 9 6 „ 10 „ .. .. .. 19 17 10 „ 14 „ .. .. .. 18 18 14 „ 18 „ 14 15 18 „ 24 „ .. .. .. 10 12 24 weeks and over .. .. .. .. 17 17 Total .. .. .. .. 100 100

Percentage of Total on Register. Number of Dependants. j May. June. July. August. September. October. 0 .. .. .. 40 40 38 38 33 41 1 .. .. .. ..15 15 15 14 16 16 2.. .. .. ..16 16 17 16 18 16 3 .. .. .. 13 13 13 14 15 12 4.. .. .. .. 8 9 9 9 9 7 5 or over .. .. .. 8 7 8 9 9 8