UNEMPLOYMENT.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17111, 5 April 1921, Page 7

UNEMPLOYMENT.

POSITION IN SOUTHLAND. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") INVERCARGILL, April 4. It i-s apparent that the unemployment that has begun in other parts of the Dominion has developed in Inrercargill and district also, although to an extent as yet not serious. Approached by a "Southland Times" reporter, a local labour agent stated that he had been besieged by men wanting work this morning, "and all I have offering are situation* for a tailer-out, a bov for a sawmill, and a boy for a dairy farm," he said. The demand, he explained, came from principally unskilled farm hands. Skilled men, such as teamsters, were not offering so freelv, and most coming forward were being olaced at £2 os and £2 10s per week" Tho wages for rouseabbuts showed a drop from £3, the wage 6f n eral some months back, to £1 15s and £2. Inquiries at the Government Labour Bureau showed that last month 11 farm labourers, one engine-driver, on© fitter, one motor mechanic, one gardener, and one miner had applied for work, None had lieen placed, but this might bo due, tha officer explained, to the applicants not keeping in touch with the bureau. Tho skilled trades do not yet seem to be affected to any appreciable extent. Boot operatives are being kept on, while the -outlook is particularly bright so far as the building concerned. "I could place from 15 to 20 men in the country," stated the secretary of the Carpenters' Union. Now that the building restrictions have been lifted the outlook for tho building and kindred tfrades in Southland is particularly bright. While the restrictions were in force, many people who, while prepared to pay the piper for the privilege, were unable to proceed with work. This, of course, applies narticularly to erections that could "not bo classed as essential, and now, in spite of the changed, financial situation, those who have waited seem eager to push on with the works. Discussing t4io situation, a man who is in close touch with the trade stated that in some parts of the eastern districts alone he could see three years' work aliead before the demand was caught up.

NOKMAIi CONDITIONS IN AUCKLAND. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") AUCKLAND, April 4. The position of the labour market in Auckland was'discussed to-day by a number of business men. Generally •spcaluno- it may bo said that the slackness in 17 certain trades and industries which is said to exist in southern centres is not apparent here. I'he officer in charge of the Labour Department said theVe had been an increasing number of enquiries for work of lato at the Government Labmfr Bureau. These applicants were chiefly unskilled -workers, and there was no indication that there was any special slackness of employment. He added that boot and clothing factories were not nearly so busy as they had been a few months ago. but he did not think that any establishments were shortening hands. Speaking of the position of labour, Mr Huey, provincial secretary of the Farmers' Union, said there was still a normal demand for suitable farm wbrkers. He had just found employment for several immigrants, and anticipated no difficulty in niacins others. Enquiries from boot manufacturer;! elicited the information that several establishments were having a very slack time. In the , '9oft goods trade the manager of one big retail establishment said conditions were normal. There was a sljght lull' about a month ago, but since about a week before Easter, trade had been Very brisk. Prominent builders say there is no lack of emnloyment in the building and allied trades. There is no slackness in the iron manufacturing trade in Auckland.