War Economy

Appendix I — STATISTICAL TABLES

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Appendix I
STATISTICAL TABLES

Table 1: Unemployment and Assisted Employment
Numbers of Males Registered and Numbers in Receipt of Assistance from the Employment Promotion Fund
(See also Chart 1, p. 6)
Date Remaining on Registers but Unplaced or Ineligible for Various Reasons In Receipt of Part-time Relief Work or Sustenance Working Full Time in Industry, With Assistance From the Fund Total on Register and Wholly or Partly a Charge on the Fund
Scheme No. 5 (Rationed Work) Sustenance Without Work
1931–
30 Jun 6,700 38,000 6,400 51,100
30 Sep 7,600 43,000 3,990 54,590
31 Dec 4,800 39,300 7,985 52,085
1932–
31 Mar 7,000 37,000 10,520 54,520
30 Jun 7,450 43,850 17,350 68,650
30 Sep 6,540 45,100 22,010 73,650
24 Dec 5,199 43,106 20,976 69,281
1933–
18 Mar 5,585 39,874 21,193 66,652
10 Jun 5,802 43,837 23,279 72,918
30 Sep 4,301 44,743 30,391 79,435
23 Dec 2,533 36,906 964 29,870 70,273
1934–
17 Mar 3,273 32,555 1,793 27,766 65,387
9 Jun 3,407 33,126 2,718 23,386 62,637
29 Sep 3,272 32,731 5,569 23,189 64,761
22 Dec 2,131 28,303 5,923 20,481 56,838
1935–
16 Mar 3,153 24,204 8,211 17,930 53,498
8 Jun 3,025 25,043 11,262 16,936 56,266
28 Sep 2,500 24,183 15,517 18,144 60,344
21 Dec 1,737 18,844 15,072 21,628 57,281
1936–
14 Mar 1,872 15,704 14,443 22,510 54,529
6 Jun 3,200 15,486 20,352 13,996 53,034
26 Sep 2,209 13,955 25,744 7,511 49,419
19 Dec 2,037 10,085 20,164 6,786 39,072
1937–
13 Mar 2,341 6,621 18,945 6,619 34,526
5 Jun 2,500 6,136 20,690 6,513 35,839
25 Sep 2,229 4,714 18,1101 11,397 36,450
18 Dec 737 3,336 12,2942 13,722 30,089
1938–
12 Mar 1,086 2,735 10,8742 15,204 29,899
4 Jun 1,301 2,812 12,6082 15,309 32,030
24 Sep 771 743 8,0612 29,057 38,632
17 Dec 407 510 7,2853 27,448 35,650
1939–
11 Mar 649 77 7,2563 24,087 32,069

Source: Adapted from Table VII, H-11A, Report of Department of Labour: Employment Division, 1939, p. 19.

1 Includes 8,499 men unfit for employment for health or other reasons.

2 Includes approximately 8,000 men unfit for employment for health or other reasons.

2 Includes approximately 8,000 men unfit for employment for health or other reasons.

2 Includes approximately 8,000 men unfit for employment for health or other reasons.

2 Includes approximately 8,000 men unfit for employment for health or other reasons.

3 All men unfit for employment for health or other reasons.

3 All men unfit for employment for health or other reasons.

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Table 2: Public Works Employment
(See also Chart 2, p. 8)
——- 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940
January 11,179 13,791 19,307 20,165 22,824 21,198
February 11,715 14,942 20,063 20,646 22,285 19,896
March 12,127 15,831 20,102 21,268 23,068 19,603
April 12,199 16,026 20,003 21,344 22,426 18,811
May 12,212 15,946 19,692 21,188 21,825 18,171
June 11,840 15,551 19,392 21,553 21,653 17,168
July 11,569 15,542 19,016 22,358 21,268 17,181
August 11,553 15,905 18,976 23,209 21,076 17,246
September 11,560 16,884 19,082 23,661 23,120 16,665
October 12,067 18,257 19,407 23,851 23,241 16,046
November 13,234 18,878 19,962 23,331 22,231 15,668
December 13,870 19,198 20,205 23,245 21,720 15,503

These figures include, in addition to workers in the direct employ of the Public Works Department, those employed by contractors for public works and those employed by local authorities on (a) works which are financed wholly or partly by the Public Works Department, and (b) highways or road construction and maintenance. This information is available only since the beginning of 1935.

Source: New Zealand Official Yearbooks.

Table 3: Pensions and Social Security Payments
(See also Chart 3, p. 12)
Year Ended 31 March Total Per Head of Population
£(m.) PENSIONS £ s. d.
1931 2.9 1 18 9
1932 3.1 2 0 8
1933 3.0 1 19 8
1934 3.1 2 0 10
1935 3.3 2 2 11
1936 3.7 2 6 9
1937 4.9 3 2 7
1938 6.3 3 19 2
1939 6.8 4 4 2
PENSIONS AND SOCIAL SECURITY
1940 12.3 7 10 5

Source: New Zealand Official Yearbook, 1941, p. 551.

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Table 4: Changes in Farm Mechanisation
Numbers and (in parentheses) index numbers on Base 1929 = 1000
(See also Chart 4, p. 15)
Year Electric Motors Agricultural Tractors Internal-combustion Engines Milking Plants Shearing Machine Plants Total Sheep Dairy Cows in Milk
1929 13,377 3,377 18,489 18,756 6,887 29,051,382 1,291,204
(1000) (1000) (1000) (1000) (1000) (1000) (1000)
1930 16,456 3,891 19,169 20,415 7,394 30,841,287 1,389,541
(1230) (1152) (1037) (1088) (1074) (1062) (1076)
1931 22,520 5,023 22,136 22,547 8,191 29,792,516 1,478,947
(1683) (1487) (1197) (1202) (1189) (1026) (1145)
1932 24,164 4,856 20,974 23,222 7,853 28,691,788 1,562,079
(1806) (1438) (1134) (1238) (1140) (988) (1210)
1933 26,757 4,972 21,667 24,350 7,936 27,755,966 1,703,328
(2000) (1472) (1172) (1298) (1152) (995) (1319)
1934 29,164 5,062 21,758 25,178 7,894 28,649,038 1,795,817
(2180) (1499) (1177) (1342) (1146) (986) (1391)
1935 31,631 5,349 22,117 25,630 8,174 29,076,754 1,807,377
(2365) (1584) (1196) (1366) (1187) (1001) (1400)
1936 35,426 5,710 22,159 26,181 8,468 30,113,704 1,802,773
(2648) (1691) (1198) (1396) (1230) (1037) (1396)
1937 40,201 6,585 22,358 27,331 8,867 31,305,818 1,784,820
(3005) (1950) (1209) (1457) (1287) (1078) (1382)
1938 46,100 8,031 22,573 28,192 9,680 32,378,774 1,743,190
(3446) (2378) (1221) (1503) (1406) (1115) (1350)
1939 51,344 9,639 22,601 28,970 10,064 31,897,091 1,723,893
(3838) (2854) (1222) (1545) (1461) (1098) (1335)
1940 56,511 11,278 23,276 29,564 10,634 31,062,875 1,719,289
(4224) (3340) (1259) (1576) (1544) (1069) (1332)

Source: Adapted from New Zealand Official Yearbooks.

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Table 5: Imports and Exports
(Excluding Specie)
(See also Chart 5, p. 17)
Year Exports Imports (c.d.v. + 10 Per Cent)
£(m.) £(m.)
1929 54.9 48.7
1930 44.9 44.3
1931 35.0 26.5
1932 35.6 24.6
1933 41.0 25.6
1934 47.3 31.3
1935 46.5 36.3
1936 56.8 44.3
1937 66.7 56.2
1938 58.4 55.4
1939 58.0 49.4
1940 73.7 49.0

Source: New Zealand Official Yearbook, 1946, p. 784.

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Table 6: Net Overseas Assets of the Banking System
(See also Chart 6, p. 18)
1934— £(m.)
Sep 40.3
Dec 40.5
1935—
Mar 45.2
Jun 46.0
Sep 40.0
Dec 36.1
1936—
Mar 44.1
Jun 44.0
Sep 34.0
Dec 28.1
1937—
Mar 34.4
Jun 37.0
Sep 30.0
Dec 23.7
1938—
Mar 26.6
Jun 26.1
Sep 17.0
Dec 6.8
1939—
Mar 9.3
Jun 9.1
Sep 8.6

Last Monday in each quarter

Source: Statistical Summaries, Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

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Table 7: Value and Volume Indices of Industrial Production
Index numbers: Base 1938–39 = 100
(See also Chart 7, p. 19)
Production Year Value of Output Volume of Production
1928–29 79 71
1929–30 79 74
1930–31 68 69
1931–32 58 60
1932–33 58 63
1933–34 63 65
1934–35 69 74
1935–36 79 81
1936–37 93 92
1937–38 99 97
1938–39 100 100
1939–40 113 110

Source: Report on Industrial Production Statistics, 1956–57, p. 9.

Table 8: Reserve Bank Advances to the State
As at (Last Week in Quarter) Primary Products Marketing Account1 Other Advances to the State
1936— £(m.) £(m.)
28 Sep 1.1 0.7
28 Dec 6.1 1.8
1937—
29 Mar 6.3 0.8
28 Jun 4.8 0.2
27 Sep 4.1 0.5
27 Dec 6.2 0.9
1938—
28 Mar 5.1 0.0
27 Jun 4.2 0.6
26 Sep 3.2 4.5
26 Dec 5.3 11.2
1939—
27 Mar 7.4 12.0
26 Jun 6.3 10.6
25 Sep 4.6 16.3

Source: Reserve Bank bulletins.

1 In 1936 and 1937 advances were to Dairy Industry Account.

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Table 9: Retail Prices—All Groups
Annual averages: Base first quarter 1949 = 1000
(See also Chart 9, p. 23)
Year Retail Price Index
1920 770
1921 781
1922 719
1923 724
1924 743
1925 758
1926 763
1927 756
1928 760
1929 758
1930 741
1931 684
1932 633
1933 600
1934 610
1935 632
1936 653
1937 697
1938 718
1939 748

Source: Prices, Wages, and Labour Statistics of New Zealand, 1954, p. 13.

Table 10: Volume of Goods Available
Production Less Exports Plus Imports Valued at 1938–39 Prices
(See also Chart 10, p. 24)
Value in 1938–39 Prices
Year Total Per Head of Population
£(m.) £
1928–29 110.8 75.7
1929–30 112.3 75.7
1930–31 98.6 65.6
1931–32 81.2 53.4
1932–33 85.6 55.8
1933–34 91.4 59.1
1934–35 100.1 64.3
1935–36 111.8 71.3
1936–37 129.1 81.6
1937–38 137.1 85.8
1938–39 134.6 83.3
1939–40 128.9 78.8

Source: Department of Statistics.

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Table 11: Exports of Apples and Pears
(See also Chart 11, p. 66)
Year lb (000)
1936 49,337
1937 37,720
1938 61,847
1939 41,906
1940 23,709
1941 425
1942 327
1943 185
1944 20
1945 159
1946 12,159
1947 239
1948 40,204
1949 21,364
1950 38,603
1951 27,944

Source: NZ Official Yearbook, 1962, p. 1111.

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Table 12: Men in the Armed Forces
(See also Chart 12, p. 71)
1939— Number Percentage of Male Labour Force*
Sep 2,570 ½
Nov 4,081 1
1940—
Feb 12,339 2
May 13,468 3
Aug 43,253 8
Nov 60,470 12
1941—
Feb 70,704 14
May 70,976 14
Aug 75,168 15
Nov 81,241 16
1942—
Feb 123,910 24
May 141,079 27
Sep (Peak mobilisation) 153,587 30
Nov 142,237 28
1943—
Feb 140,730 27
May 137,904 27
Aug 132,245 26
Nov 127,879 25
1944—
Feb 118,033 23
May 115,932 22
Aug 103,372 20
Nov 92,084 18
1945—
Feb 91,131 18
May 94,321 18
Aug 84,238 16
Nov 52,739 10
1946—
Feb 24,294 5

Source: Adapted from Parliamentary Paper H-11A, Report of the National Service Department, 1946, p. 122. (See also p. 70, note 1.)

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Table 13: Numbers in New Zealand Armed Forces
Includes Women
(See also Chart 13, p. 72)
1939— Home Overseas Total
Sep 2,107 463 2,570
Nov 3,412 669 4,081
1940—
Feb 4,690 7,649 12,339
May 5,388 8,080 13,468
Aug 27,861 15,392 43,253
Nov 33,490 26,980 60,470
1941—
Feb 37,122 33,583 70,705
May 28,737 42,344 71,081
Aug 32,481 43,274 75,755
Nov 35,603 46,733 82,336
1942—
Feb 76,545 48,846 125,391
May 93,078 50,119 143,197
Sep (Peak mobilisation) 107,000 50,000 157,000
Nov 103,612 43,833 147,445
1943—
Feb 86,430 60,523 146,953
May 75,622 68,842 144,464
Aug 72,482 68,493 140,975
Nov (Highest number overseas) 65,776 70,291 136,067
1944—
Feb 56,856 69,246 126,102
May 54,258 69,134 123,392
Aug 54,868 55,710 110,578
Nov 45,266 53,048 98,314
1945—
Feb 41,547 55,500 97,047
May 41,976 57,927 99,903
Aug 37,431 51,889 89,320
Nov 25,199 30,636 55,835
1946—
Feb 18,447 8,052 26,499

Source: As for Table 12.

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Tables 14 and 15: New Zealand and United States Forces in New Zealand (See also Chart 14, p. 74 and Chart 15, p. 75)
Date New Zealand Forces (Home) United States Forces (in New Zealand) Total
1939
Sep 2,107 2,107
Nov 3,412 3,412
1940
Feb 4,690 4,690
May 5,388 5,388
Aug 27,861 27,861
Nov 33,490 33,490
1941
Feb 37,122 37,122
May 28,737 28,737
Aug 32,481 32,481
Nov 35,603 35,603
1942
Feb 76,545 76,545
May 93,078 93,078
Sep 107,000 15,000 122,000
Nov 103,612 15,065 118,677
1943
Feb 86,430 21,153 107,583
May 75,622 43,487 119,109
Aug 72,482 33,072 105,554
Nov 65,776 30,355 96,131
1944
Feb 56,856 27,000 83,856
May 54,258 24,048 78,306
Aug 54,868 3,055 57,923
Nov 45,266 1,486 46,752
1945
Feb 41,547 41,547
May 41,976 41,976
Aug 37,431 37,431
Nov 25,199 25,199
1946
Feb 18,447 18,447

Source: New Zealand, as for Table 12. United States, from War History narrative, Vol. 95. United States figure for February 1944 not available, interpolated.

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Table 16: Expenditure Through War Expenses Account (See also Chart 16, p. 76)
Financial Year Expenditure Through War Expenses Account Net National Income at Factor Cost War Expenditure as Percentage of National Income
£(m.) £(m.) Per Cent
1939–40 7.1 211.1 3.4
1940–41 30.9 230.4 13.4
1941–42 59.8 252.6 23.7
1942–43 143.9 291.6 49.3
1943–44 163.2 326.2 50.0
1944–45 130.0 329.4 39.5
1945–46 134.6 346.9 38.8
1946–47 47.7 368.4 12.9
1947–48 17.7 413.8 4.3
1948–49 7.3 422.5 1.7
1949–50 4.3 480.5 0.9

War Expenses Account covers expenditure from 29 September 1939. The following note is taken from the 1950 NZ Official Yearbook, p. 478:

‘The War Expenses Account was set up under the provisions of the War Expenses Act of 1939, and all receipts and payments in connection with the war effort were dealt with through this account. Defence expenditure was previously included as an annual appropriation of the Consolidated Fund, and upon the War Expenses Account being brought into existence the unexpended balances of 1939–40 appropriations under this heading were transferred to the new account.

‘Commencing with the 1946–47 financial year, the defence vote was restored to the Consolidated Fund, and current defence expenditure has since been met from that source. Expenditure arising from or consequent upon the Second World War, however, was paid from the War Expenses Account up to and including the financial year 1949–50, when the account was finally abolished.’

Source: NZ Official Yearbooks.

Table 17: Numbers Unemployed or in Subsidised Employment (See also Chart 17, p. 86)
September 1939 19,000
December 1940 13,000
December 1941 6,000
December 1942 2,000
December 1943 1,000
December 1944 1,000
December 1945 1,000

Source: Table 22, p. 134, Parliamentary Paper H–11A, Report of the National Service Department, 1946.

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Table 18: Number of Women per 100 Men Employed in Factory Production (See also Chart 18, p. 91)
Year Number of Women per 100 Men
1934–35 33
1935–36 33
1936–37 34
1937–38 34
1938–39 33
1939–40 36
1940–41 40
1941–42 43
1942–43 46
1943–44 44
1944–45 43
1945–46 38
1946–47 33
1947–48 32

Source: Derived from information in New Zealand Official Yearbooks. The coverage of factory production is that used in the war years. A revision was made in 1951–52.

Table 19: Manpower Changes Affecting Civilian Employment September 1939 to September 1942 (See also Chart 19, p. 104)
Losses
Men lost to the Armed Forces —151,000
Women lost to the Armed Forces — 3,000
Gains
Men, previously unemployed or in subsidised employment, now absorbed into industry + 17,000
Natural increase in Male Labour Force + 18,000
Older men and others, not normally in the Labour Force, but drawn in for the war effort + 12,000
Natural increase in Female Labour Force + 6,000
Married women and others, not normally in employment, but drawn in for the war effort + 36,000
Net Loss
Resulting depletion in numbers in Civilian Employment — 65,000

Source: Rough estimates based on information from National Service Department reports and New Zealand Official Yearbooks.

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Table 20: Volume of Imports Index Numbers: Base 1936–38 = 100 (See also Chart 20, p. 106)
Year Index Number
1936 89
1937 106
1938 105
1939 94
1940 79
1941 70

Source: New Zealand Official Yearbooks.

Table 21: Terms of Trade Index Numbers: Base 1936–38 = 100 (See also Chart 21, p. 107)
Year Index Number
1936 97
1937 105
1938 99
1939 96
1940 92
1941 83
1942 76
1943 69
1944 73
1945 79
1946 79
1947 84
1948 91
1949 97
1950 123

Source: New Zealand Official Yearbooks.

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Tables 22, 23, 24, 25, 26: Imports and Reserve Stocks (See also Charts 22 to 23, 24, 25, 26, pp. 113–18)
Reserve Stocks
Commodity 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 Stocks at Sep 1939 Remarks
IMPORTS1
Corrugated roofing iron (000 tons) 21 20 13 16 9 3 4 2,000 tons held in stock by Public Works Department plus 2,000 tons other stocks, making 4,000 tons total stocks.
Gypsum (000 tons) 9 10 15 25 33 28 7 Reserve stocks held by NZ Companies.
Sugar, raw (000 tons) 82 85 75 85 90 78 15 Purchased and stored in NZ by Colonial Sugar Refining Co.
Rock phosphate (000 tons) 218 283 264 352 346 256 80 Supplied by British Phosphates Commission and stored at eight works throughout country.
Motor spirits (million gallons) 87 86 102 104 94 66 28 All stocks.
MOTOR VEHICLES2
Motor vehicles licensed2 (Number) 228,247 255,748 280,327 307,931 317,526 313,087
Trailers (included) (Number) 4,159 5,764 7,865 9,345 11,518 13,120
Total motor vehicles less trailers (Number) 224,088 249,984 272,462 298,586 306,008 299,967
Motor spirits imported per registered motor vehicle (Gallons) 388 343 375 349 306 220

Source: Annual Statistical Reports on Trade and Shipping, and War History narrative, Vol. 90.

1 Calendar Years.

2 At 31 March.

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Table 27: Goods Available for Use in New Zealand Local Production as Percentage of Total (See also Chart 27, p. 122)
Year Percentage Locally Produced
1936–37 57.0
1937–38 56.2
1938–39 56.0
1939–40 65.0
1940–41 70.6
1941–42 72.3
1942–43 71.5
1943–44 64.2
1944–45 65.8
1945–46 69.8
1946–47 65.6
1947–48 58.8
1948–49 63.4
1949–50 61.2

Source: New Zealand Official Yearbooks.

TABLE 28: LEND-LEASE AND RECIPROCAL AID (See also Chart 28, p. 126)
Year Ended Lend-Lease Aid From United States of America Reciprocal Aid Provided by New Zealand
1941–42 Nil Nil
1942–43 26.8 7.0
1943–44 32.5 24.5
1944–45 24.2 26.7
1945–46 21.0 22.8
1946–47 Nil Nil

Source: New Zealand Official Yearbook, 1946, p. 826.

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Table 29: Imports from Principal Supplying Countries Value in £(m.) (See also Chart 29, p. 127)
Year United Kingdom Canada Australia United States of America
1937 27.9 4.6 6.6 7.0
1938 26.5 4.9 7.2 6.9
1939 23.1 4.4 6.4 5.6
1940 22.9 2.9 7.8 6.1
1941 21.2 3.1 8.0 9.1
1942 20.2 2.4 8.1 15.0
1943 32.6 11.5 10.2 34.9
1944 34.9 5.1 10.3 27.9
1945 19.8 5.1 8.3 13.1
1946 34.2 4.7 10.4 11.7

Source: Annual Statistical Reports on Trade and Shipping.

Table 30: Imports Classified by Purpose Value of Main Items Only: £(000) (See also Chart 30, p. 130)
Year Manufacturers' Materials Producers' Equipment Consumers' Goods Unclassified (Including Munitions and War Stores)
1937 16,002 7,225 15,365 206
1938 14,653 7,873 14,765 310
1939 14,811 6,727 10,936 606
1940 20,270 5,917 7,621 2,578
1941 20,253 5,792 6,965 5,293
1942 18,262 4,643 7,380 14,449
1943 25,161 6,678 5,798 46,655
1944 26,015 9,672 7,448 29,882
1945 26,003 8,531 6,802 3,710
1946 30,241 12,547 11,714 487

Source: Report on External Trade Statistics, 1957.

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Table 31: Supplies of Rubber and Tyres (See also Chart 31, p. 141)
IMPORTS
Year Imports of Raw Rubber (millions of lb) Imports of Tyres and Tubes2 (millions of lb) Value of All Rubber Imports £(000)
1937 0.21 8.5 1,450
1938 0.2 7.8 1,378
1939 1.1 7.2 1,342
1940 1.7 5.6 1,306
1941 2.6 7.8 1,708
1942 0.5 1.5 544
1943 0.4 3.7 827
1944 0.8 3.4 826
1945 0.9 4.3 1,156

RESERVE STOCKS

Reserve stocks of raw rubber in September 1939 were estimated at 600,000 lb. Stocks of tyres and tubes not known.

RECLAIMED RUBBER

Reclaimed rubber, including tyres, estimated at 13,440,000 lb. from 1940 to 1945 or (say) 2,240,000 lb. a year on average.

Source: Annual Statistical Reports on Trade and Shipping, and War History narrative, Vol. 90.

Table 32: Wheat Supplies (See also Chart 32, p. 143)
Year Imports Local Production (Wheat for threshing) Total
Millions of bushels
1936 0.4 8.9 9.3
1937 1.6 7.2 8.8
1938 3.4 6.0 9.5
1939 3.1 5.6 8.7
1940 1.9 8.0 10.0
1941 1.1 8.3 9.4
1942 2.6 8.7 11.2
1943 2.1 9.8 11.9
1944 3.7 7.2 10.9
1945 4.9 7.0 11.9
1946 3.0 5.4 8.5
1947 5.0 5.4 10.4
1948 6.3 4.5 10.8

Source: New Zealand Official Yearbooks.

2 Over 1 3/4 in. in diameter (including parts for same).

1 Estimated. Value only recorded.

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Table 33: Persons Engaged in Manufacturing (See also Chart 33, p. 150)
Year Persons Engaged Year Persons Engaged
1929–30 82,861 1938–39 102,535
1930–31 77,914 1939–40 108,722
1931–32 68,697 1940–41 113,999
1932–33 68,921 1941–42 117,214
1933–34 72,651 1942–43 114,590
1934–35 79,358 1943–44 117,864
1935–36 86,588 1944–45 122,414
1936–37 96,401 1945–46 128,208
1937–38 102,344 1946–47 134,435

Source: Statistical Reports on Factory Production.

Table 34: Changes in the Manufacturing Labour Force (See also Chart 34, p. 155)
Year Males Females Total
1938–39 76,868 25,667 102,535
1939–40 80,167 28,555 108,722
1940–41 81,706 32,293 113,999
1941–42 82,042 35,172 117,214
1942–43 78,529 36,061 114,590
1943–44 81,693 36,171 117,864
1944–45 85,861 36,553 122,414
1945–46 92,701 35,507 128,208

Source: Annual Report on Factory Production Statistics, 1946–47 and 1947–48, p. ix.

Table 35: Overtime Worked in Factories Average hours per head yearly (See also Chart 35, p. 157)
Year Males Females Year Males Females
1934–35 31 26 1941–42 101 62
1935–36 35 34 1942–43 172 77
1936–37 36 30 1943–44 199 90
1937–38 41 27 1944–45 188 87
1938–39 45 23 1945–46 141 68
1939–40 50 44 1946–47 137 51
1940–41 62 55 1947–48 137 41

Source: Statistical Reports on Factory Production.

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Table 36: Numbers Engaged in Woollen Mills (See also Chart 36 p. 162)
Year Males Females Total
1936–37 1,108 1,684 2,792
1937–38 1,100 1,648 2,748
1938–39 970 1,436 2,406
1939–40 1,276 1,704 2,980
1940–41 1,543 1,946 3,489
1941–42 1,725 2,130 3,855
1942–43 1,743 2,302 4,045
1943–44 1,759 2,291 4,050
1944–45 1,717 2,107 3,824
1945–46 1,670 1,887 3,557
1946–47 1,694 1,304 2,998
1947–48 1,571 1,099 2,670

Source: Statistical Reports on Factory Production.

Table 37: Numbers Engaged in Clothing Factories (See also Chart 37, p. 164)
Year Males Females Total
1936–37 1,771 10,057 11,828
1937–38 1,900 11,016 12,916
1938–39 1,883 10,387 12,270
1939–40 1,953 11,248 13,201
1940–41 1,994 12,495 14,489
1941–42 1,868 12,725 14,593
1942–43 1,725 12,103 13,828
1943–44 1,719 11,560 13,279
1944–45 1,932 12,240 14,172
1945–46 2,216 12,609 14,825
1946–47 2,625 12,800 15,425
1947–48 2,907 13,664 16,571

Source: Statistical Reports on Factory Production.

Table 38: Numbers Engaged in Footwear Manufacture (See also Chart 38, p. 165)
Year Males Females Total
1936–37 1,675 1,433 3,108
1937–38 1,663 1,418 3,081
1938–39 1,634 1,441 3,075
1939–40 1,931 1,800 3,731
1940–41 2,278 2,106 4,384
1941–42 2,394 2,226 4,620
1942–43 2,369 2,144 4,513
1943–44 2,467 2,051 4,518
1944–45 2,541 2,028 4,569
1945–46 2,570 2,090 4,660
1946–47 2,931 2,036 4,967
1947–48 3,105 2,154 5,259

Source: Statistical Reports on Factory Production.

– 601 –

Table 39: Textiles, Clothing, and Footwear Manufacture
Volume of Production for Selected Items1
Index Numbers, Base: Average of 1936–37 to 1938–39 = 1000
(See also Chart 39, p. 166)
Tweed and Cloth Flannel Blankets Hosiery Yarn
Yd Volume Index No. Yd Volume Index No. Pairs Volume Index No. Dozen Pairs Volume Index No. lb Volume Index No.
Average of 1936–37 to 1938–39 1,405,180 1000 661,328 1000 155,779 1000 120,716 1000 783,015 1000
1939–40 1,915,010 1363 1,186,940 1795 209,721 1346 150,060 1243 1,017,095 1299
1940–41 2,464,370 1754 1,241,308 1877 244,025 1566 192,256 1593 1,261,069 1611
1941–42 2,670,275 1900 1,599,058 2418 243,704 1564 209,809 1738 1,663,921 2125
1942–43 2,830,037 2014 1,632,175 2468 277,846 1784 162,537 1346 1,606,843 2052
1943–44 3,008,241 2141 1,327,957 2008 257,811 1655 169,679 1406 1,582,577 2021
1944–45 2,948,202 2098 1,009,540 1527 201,517 1294 156,267 1295 1,489,313 1902
1945–46 2,632,486 1873 843,673 1276 142,381 914 133,452 1106 1,403,822 1793
1946–47 2,183,851 1554 604,370 914 135,101 867 87,991 729 1,431,151 1828
1947–48 2,247,002 1599 459,712 695 124,667 800 86,067 713 1,417,017 1810

1 Continued next page.

Source: Adapted from Annual Reports on Factory Production Statistics.

– 602 –

Boots and Shoes (Adults) Shirts Trousers Other Clothing Production Including Military Orders2
Pairs Volume Index No. Dozen Volume Index No. No. Volume Index No. £ Volume Index No.3
Average of 1936–37 to 1938–39 1,711,102 1000 178,512 1000 968,298 1000 1,332,220 1000
1939–40 2,060,086 1204 168,503 944 971,678 1003 1,800,081 1263
1940–41 2,179,313 1274 165,252 926 885,575 915 2,429,250 1542
1941–42 2,336,591 1366 135,667 760 639,050 660 2,578,854 1498
1942–43 2,455,704 1435 85,342 479 693,181 716 2,953,181 1600
1943–44 2,292,233 1340 143,384 803 636,021 657 2,837,231 1418
1944–45 2,166,708 1266 173,776 973 985,992 1018 2,588,120 1234
1945–46 1,962,310 1147 182,616 1023 992,058 1025 2,583,266 1206
1946–47 2,001,779 1170 148,414 831 913,988 944 2,760,230 1265
1947–48 2,143,412 1253 207,270 1161 1,220,587 1261 3,740,233 1688

2 Suits, dresses, underclothing, and overcoats are excluded from this item, as well as trousers and shirts.

3 Volume taken as value corrected for price changes, using clothing, etc., subgroup of retail price index.

Source: Adapted from Annual Reports on Factory Production Statistics.

– 603 –

Table 40: Volume of Manufacturing Production
Index Numbers, Base: 1938–39 = 100
(See also Chart 40, p. 179)
Year Volume of Production Volume per Person Engaged
1936–37 92 98
1937–38 97 97
1938–39 100 100
1939–40 110 103
1940–41 114 103
1941–42 116 102
1942–43 120 107
1943–44 125 108
1944–45 129 108
1945–46 131 105
1946–47 140 106
1947–48 151 110
1948–49 155 112

Source: New Zealand Official Yearbook, 1951–52, p. 512.

Table 41: Areas Topdressed
(See also Chart 41, p. 197)
Year Millions of Acres
1935 2·7
1936 2·9
1937 3·3
1938 3·9
1939 4·0
1940 4·2
1941 4·6
1942 4·2
1943 3·5
1944 3·4
1945 3·6
1946 3·7
1947 4·3
1948 4·7
1949 5·1

Source: Primary Production in New Zealand, 1957 edition, p. 109.

Table 42: Number of Sheep for Each Dairy Cow in Milk
(See also Chart 42, p. 198)
Year Dairy Cows in Milk Sheep Number of Sheep per Dairy Cow in Milk
1936 1,802,773 30,113,704 16·7
1937 1,784,820 31,305,818 17·5
1938 1,743,190 32,378,774 18·6
1939 1,723,893 31,897,091 18·5
1940 1,719,289 31,062,875 18·1
1941 1,759,018 31,751,660 18·1
1942 1,777,239 1
1943 1,714,959 1
1944 1,647,920 33,200,298 20·1
1945 1,678,943 33,974,612 20·2
1946 1,661,944 1
1947 1,657,690 32,681,799 19·7
1948 1,713,532 32,483,138 19·0

1 Not available.

Source: Adapted from New Zealand Official Yearbook, 1962, p. 1107.

1 Not available.

Source: Adapted from New Zealand Official Yearbook, 1962, p. 1107.

1 Not available.

Source: Adapted from New Zealand Official Yearbook, 1962, p. 1107.

– 604 –

Table 43: Butter and Cheese Production
(See also Chart 43, p. 202)
Production (000 tons)
June Year Butter Cheese
1936–37 177·6 91·3
1937–38 165·4 88·5
1938–39 147·9 85·3
1939–40 157·8 97·6
1940–41 165·2 122·4
1941–42 133·8 157·7
1942–43 142·0 102·8
1943–44 136·4 92·2
1944–45 154·7 103·7
1945–46 126·7 94·5
1946–47 145·7 91·6

Source: Department of Statistics.

– 605 –

Table 44: Livestock Slaughterings
Thousands of Carcasses, and Index Numbers: Base 1936–37 to 1938–39 = 1000
(See also Chart 44, p. 207)
Sheep Lambs Cattle Calves Pigs
March Year Number (000) Index Number Number (000) Index Number Number (000) Index Number Number (000) Index Number Number (000) Index Number
Average of 1936–37 to 1938–39 4,020 1000 9,778 1000 569 1000 1,054 1000 1,091 1000
1939–40 4,439 1104 10,160 1039 600 1054 1,060 1006 826 757
1940–41 5,151 1281 12,037 1231 728 1279 1,068 1013 981 899
1941–42 4,633 1152 11,700 1197 631 1109 1,032 979 1,003 919
1942–43 4,310 1072 11,251 1151 769 1351 1,045 991 842 772
1943–44 4,552 1132 10,607 1085 697 1225 1,047 993 709 650
1944–45 4,717 1173 10,780 1102 610 1072 966 917 679 622
1945–46 5,440 1353 12,742 1303 739 1299 983 933 727 666
1946–47 5,177 1288 11,826 1209 664 1167 1,039 986 604 554

Source: Numbers from New Zealand Official Yearbook, 1947–49, p. 924. The figures include export works, abattoirs, and killings on farms.

– 606 –

Table 45: Production and Exports of Meat
(Note: Supplies under Reverse Lend-Lease were not recorded as Exports)
(See also Chart 45, p. 208)
June Years Production (Tons)1 Exports (Tons)
Average of 1936–37 to 1938–39 457,000 274,000
1939–40 519,000 334,000
1940–41 502,000 272,950
1941–42 520,000 290,750
1942–43 521,800 254,200
1943–44 493,000 189,400
1944–45 522,000 322,150
1945–46 513,000 302,550

1 Excluding offals.

Sources: P. W. Smallfield in Wartime Farming (Production), and Department of Statistics (Exports).

– 607 –

Table 46: Breeding Ewes, Other Sheep And Dairy Cows In Milk
Numbers and Index Numbers: Base 1937–39 = 1000
(See also Chart 46, p. 214)
Total Sheep Breeding Ewes Other Sheep Dairy Cows in Milk
Number Number Index No. Number Index No. Number Index No.
1937 31,305,818 19,332,077 984 11,973,741 981 1,784,820 1020
1938 32,378,774 19,663,866 1001 12,714,908 1041 1,743,190 996
1939 31,897,091 19,960,299 1016 11,936,792 978 1,723,893 985
1940 31,062,875 19,727,657 1004 11,335,218 928 1,719,289 982
1941 31,751,660 20,030,933 1019 11,720,727 960 1,759,018 1005
1942 1 1 1 1,756,654 1003
1943 1 1 1 1,714,959 980
1944 33,200,298 20,549,716 1046 12,650,582 1036 1,647,920 941
1945 33,974,612 20,865,858 1062 13,108,754 1074 1,678,943 959

Source: Numbers from New Zealand Official Yearbooks.

1 Not available.

1 Not available.

1 Not available.

1 Not available.

1 Not available.

1 Not available.

– 608 –

Table 47: Lambs Tailed And Lambs Slaughtered
(See also Chart 47, p. 215)
(Millions)
Year Lambs Tailed Lambs Slaughtered
1936–37 16·9 9·4
1937–38 17·3 10·0
1938–39 16·9 10·0
1939–40 17·2 10·2
1940–41 18·4 12·0
1941–42 18·5 11·7
1942–43 18·9 11·3
1943–44 18·4 10·6
1944–45 19·5 10·8

Source: New Zealand Official Yearbooks.

– 609 –

Table 48: Output of Principal Farm Products
Quantities and Index Numbers: Base 1936–37 to 1938–39 = 1000
(See also Chart 48, p. 219)
Meat Wool Butterfat
Season Tons1 Index No. (Million lb)Greasy Index No. (Million lb) Index No.
Average of 1936–37 to 1938–39 457,000 1000 309 1000 431 1000
1939–40 519,000 1136 310 1003 431 1000
1940–41 502,000 1098 331 1071 466 1081
1941–42 520,000 1138 345 1117 437 1014
1942–43 521,800 1142 340 1100 407 944
1943–44 493,000 1079 330 1068 387 898
1944–45 522,000 1142 372 1204 432 1002
1945–46 513,000 1123 365 1181 373 865

Sources: P. W. Smallfield in Wartime Farming (Meat), and New Zealand Official Yearbooks.

1 Excluding offals.

– 610 –

Table 49: Supplies of Selected Building Materials
(See also Chart 49, p. 222)
£(000)
Annual Averages
New Zealand Production 1936–37 to 1938–39 Imports 1937–39 Total
Sawn Timber 2,868 408 3,276
Cement 605 16 621
Earthenware and asbestos slates, pipes, tiles, etc. 239 67 306
Bricks 175 4 179
Brass, copper and iron pipes 605 605
Mild steel bar, bolt, and rod1 518 518
Iron and steel angle, tee, channel and girder 225 225
Galvanised corrugated iron 428 428
Galvanised flat iron 166 166
Window glass 39 39

Source: New Zealand Official Yearbooks, Factory Production Statistics, and Statistical Reports on Trade and Shipping.

Table 50: Defence Construction Expenditure
(See also Chart 50. p. 230)
£(000)
Expenditure
Financial Year Controlled by the Public Works Department Controlled by the Housing Department Total
1939–401 2,957 27 2,984
1940–41 3,773 124 3,897
1941–42 5,297 29 5,326
1942–43 16,799 773 17,572
1943–44 11,543 1,754 13,297
1944–45 4,850 414 5,264
1945–46 2,248 69 2,317
TOTALS 47,466 3,189 50,656

Source: Official War History of the Public Works Department, Vol. 1, p. 73, and War History narrative Vol. 24, p. 12. In Parliamentary Paper D–3, Report of the Commissioner of Works, 1946, slightly different figures are given, the total expenditure of the two Departments being recorded as £50·5 million.

1 Small quantities may also have been produced in New Zealand.

1 Includes all defence expenditure incurred in the financial year.

– 611 –

Table 51: Number of Permits Issued For New Dwellings
(See also Chart 51, p. 243)
Year Private Government Total
1937–38 4,877 2,167 7,044
1938–39 5,601 4,110 9,711
1939–40 5,299 4,387 9,686
1940–41 4,894 3,983 8,877
1941–42 4,282 2,890 7,172
1942–43 1,020 614 1,634
1943–44 2,742 2,194 4,936
1944–45 5,367 3,334 8,701
1945–46 7,359 2,997 10,356
1946–47 9,808 3,068 12,876
1947–48 10,538 3,510 14,048

Source: New Zealand Official Yearbooks.

– 612 –

Table 52: Numbers Engaged on Defence Construction Works
(See also Chart 52, p. 245)
Defence Works, Excluding Aerodromes Aerodromes All Defence Works, Including Aerodromes
1939—
Sep 3,600 3,050 6,650
Dec 1,200 1,875 3,075
1940—
Mar 800 1,400 2,200
Jun 1,000 1,500 2,500
Sep 2,000 1,575 3,575
Dec 1,100 2,000 3,100
1941—
Mar 900 2,000 2,900
Jun 900 1,750 2,650
Sep 900 1,375 2,275
Dec 1,000 1,125 2,125
1942—
Mar 3,000 2,125 5,125
Jun 7,000 2,900 9,900
Sep 6,500 1,625 8,125
Dec 6,800 1,200 8,000
1943—
Mar 7,700 750 8,450
Jun 6,600 950 7,550
Sep 5,200 900 6,100
Dec 4,100 750 4,850
1944—
Mar 3,400 400 3,800
Jun 2,300 350 2,650
Sep 2,000 125 2,125
Dec 1,300 125 1,425
1945—
Mar 1,500 125 1,625
Jun 1,200 125 1,325
Aug 1,100 125 1,225

Source: Figures are approximations derived from a chart in the Official War History of the Public Works Department, Vol. 2, p. 318.

– 613 –

Table 53: Production of Sawn Timber
(See also Chart 53, p. 247)
March Year Board Feet (000)
1934–35 243,782
1935–36 293,075
1936–37 305,889
1937–38 322,766
1938–39 316,716
1939–40 335,991
1940–41 342,208
1941–42 324,474
1942–43 341,515
1943–44 350,748
1944–45 340,133
1945–46 344,723
1946–47 353,955
1947–48 428,114
1948–49 464,545

Source: Parliamentary Paper C–3, Annual Report of the Director of Forestry, 1954.

Table 54: Demands of War on the National Output
(See also Chart 54, p. 256)
Financial Year Expenditure Through War Expenses Account Gross National Product War Expenses as a Percentage of Gross National Product Remainder of Gross National Product
£(m.) £(m.) Per Cent Per Cent
1938–39 31 232 1 99
1939–40 7 250 3 97
1940–41 31 269 12 88
1941–42 60 291 21 79
1942–43 144 335 43 57
1943–44 163 375 44 56
1944–45 130 380 34 66
1945–46 135 400 34 66
1946–47 48 426 11 89

Source: Percentages derived from Department of Statistics figures.

1 War Expenses Account commenced in 1939–40. The 1938–39 figure is an estimate of the expenditure on similar items. See also note to Table 16.

– 614 –

Table 55: Revenue from Taxation
(See also Chart 55, p. 264)
£(000)
Financial Year Consolidated Fund Employment Promotion Social Security Special War Taxation Total
1935–36 21,556 3,922 25,478
1936–37 26,941 4,241 31,182
1937–38 31,664 5,135 36,799
1938–39 32,306 5,492 37,798
1939–40 32,810 9,529 2,182 44,521
1940–41 34,874 10,742 15,745 61,361
1941–42 35,162 11,064 21,937 68,163
1942–43 36,196 12,189 39,556 87,941
1943–44 42,018 13,378 45,444 100,839
1944–45 45,689 14,260 48,732 108,682
1945–46 48,371 15,167 51,417 114,955

Source: New Zealand Official Yearbooks. See also table on p. 263.

Table 56: Changes in the Public Debt
£(NZ)000
(See also Chart 56, p. 266)
31 March Held in New Zealand Held Overseas Total
1939 146,238 166,821 313,058
1940 164,165 168,083 332,248
1941 190,176 168,719 358,895
1942 230,780