I—l 7
Most alarming of all, however, has been the fall in the rural population in the OtagoSouthland Province, which totals approximately 13,500. Here again the change in the month at which the census was recorded may give some explanation. The problem is one to cause very serious concern, and we believe some active steps should be taken to counteract this trend if at all possible. We are unable to say whether this represents a real reduction in the efficiency of the utilization of land in the South Island, but it is obviously a question which should engage the earnest attention of the Government. VIII. OCCUPATIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION One very important question which must be considered by any investigator into the field of population, particularly as it affects potential population, is the problem of occupational opportunities for any increase in the population. The following table gives some idea of the relative importance of the various types of physical production in the Dominion. It takes no account of services of any kind :
Table No. 62.—Table showing the Value of Production in various Years from 1900-01 to 1943-44
The figures show fairly conclusively the relative importance of agricultural and pastoral pursuits in the Dominion, but perhaps the most interesting development has been that of the factory production in the Dominion, which has increased from £5,400,000 in 1900-1 to £49,400,000 in 1943-4. Admittedly the actual volume of production has not increased in the same ratio, as the price-level has risen considerably in the interim; but, comparing the development of the primary products with that of secondary products, it is interesting to notice that the actual value of factory production is now approaching 50 per cent, of that of primary production, whereas an 1900-1 it was only 25 per cent. No figures are available to show the value of " services " over a period of years, but a figure is available to show the aggregate private income in later years. In 1939-40 the total value of physical production was £144,800,000, of which £86,400,000 came from agriculture and £33,500,000 from factory production. The aggregate private income for that year was £200,200,000, and speaking generally, and without! absolute scientific accuracy, the difference between these two figures represents the value of services rendered to the community. While this figure will include considerable amounts of interest which can hardly be looked on for this purpose as a service, it does indicate the relative importance of services in the community.
45
Year. Primary. Factory. Other. Total. £(m.) £(m.) £(m.) £(m.) 1900-01 20-0 5-4 14-5 39-9 1905-06 26-9 6-8 121 45-8 1910-11 31-9 8-1 13-4 53-4 1915-16 50-3 9-7 12-3 72-3 1920-21 65-2 18-6 15-7 99-5 1925-26 66-5 22-3 21-6 110-4 1930-31 55-6 23-3 18-3 97-2 1935-36 63-5 23-2 271 113-8 1940-41 99-4 371 23-8 160-3 1942-43 99-5 45-2 25» 1 169-8 1943-44 99-5 I 49-4 25-3 174-2