I—l 7

The next table shows the total occupied population, which is obtained *by grouping the two previous tables :

Table No. 65.—Table showing the Percentage Industrial Distribution of Total Occupied Population (excluding Maoris), 1901-45

The details of the various groups will be discussed later in this report. Here it is important only to discuss the relative importance of the groups among themselves. Throughout the whole period, with the exception of 1926 (at which period special circumstances were operating), the percentage of occupied males engaged directly in agricultural pursuits remained comparatively stable, particularly since 1906. The pervading public impression is that the relative position of agriculture as a source of employment has seriously declined. The figures do not bear that contention out. This stability is in spite of the fact that the swollen figure for 1945 is probably artificially high on account of the war. Males engaged' in other primary production, chiefly sawmilling, mining, and fishing, have changed very little over the period in absolute numbers, but the relative position has declined from 8-9 per cent, of the occupied males in 1901 to 5-0 per cent, in 1945. Most people think that secondary industries have increased enormously at the expense of agriculture. The figures, show that, though there has been a large increase in numbers, of males engaged in secondary industries the relative position is remarkably stable, with, if anything, a tendency to fall. Perhaps the most significant figure in these tables is that of the development of tertiary industries. Tertiary industries are in the service group, and include professional services, commercial services, transport and communication, and other occupations of a similar character including entertainment, hotel services, and other similar occupations. One has to mention only the development of communication services consequent on the greater use of the internal-combustion engine, the development of hydro-electricity, and the development of entertainment services to realize the importance of this development in New Zealand. The tertiary industry emerges as an important factor in the community at a fairly late stage in economic development. In the primary stages the main emphasis is on the production of food and clothing. The rural industries tend to predominate, and machinery and luxuries are of less importance. The second stage, of course, is the development of machinery, with the consequent increase in prosperity. The third and final stage is when it is possible, because of improvements in. agricultural and industrial techniques, to produce the required food and clothing and machinery with a lesser expenditure of labour than at the previous periods. Consequently, a larger proportion of the population is available for what might be called the service industries and professions. If such a development has proceeded to any extent it is some indication of economic progress. The movement can be explained in more detail in relation to New Zealand's development. In the early stages of New Zealand's history the bulk of the community was engaged in primary production chiefly for its own consumption. Such industries as were in existence were of the locality type, engaged in such things as baking, tailoring, and dressmaking, and generally in the rather direct servicing of production. As population increased and industrial inventions were applied to farming, particularly in the field of dairy-farming, a larger industrial population not only was necessary, but could be absorbed. The emergence of. the dairy factories did away with the necessity for separating and churning on the farm. Kefrigeration made it possible for large freezing-works to be established, and these in turn called for technicians to

47

Group. 1901. 1906. 1911. 1916. 1 1921. 1926. 1936. 1945. Primary industries Secondary industries . . Tertiary industries Armed Forces 35-16 27-45 37-39 33-18 27-71 39-11 31-96 26-54 41-50 31-90 23-95 44-15 30-45 23 • 84 45-71 27-25 25 • 70 47-05 28-44 25-48 46-08 25-93 23-57 44-28 6-22 Total 100-00 100-00 100-00 100-00 100•00 100-00 100-00 100-00