LABOUR AND TRADE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1258, 13 October 1911, Page 6

LABOUR AND TRADE.

SEPTEMBER STATISTICS. WELLINGTON CITY AND PROVINCIAL CENTRES. According to llic September issue, of the journal of the Labour Department, the trade conditions in Wellington for that month, although up lo tho average for the (imo of llic year, havo not reached the standard anticipated. The strike in England has seriously delayed shipments, and those industries which rely upon a trading in season have been severely handicapped. In the drapery trade especially this factor in 11 undoubtedly cause a loss both to the retailers and the warehousemen. This handicap will also bo felt during the next month or two on account of t'he overlapping of shipments. Outlook in the City. Although 'there has been an increase, in tho applications received for employment in Hie ranks of unskilled labour during tho period, the majority has been from men physically unable to fcaeWo the work offering; the.ro lias been no lack of work for those possessing health and strength, and willing to leave tho city. As it was reported that, thero was a good deal of unemployment in the city, publicity was given to the fact that "work could bo given to some, fifty labourers on the cooperative railway works at Stratford, Blenheim, and Nelson. Local workers, however, did not apply for this work to any extent, and during tho past fortnight twenty men only have been sent. Of this total seventeen were single men casually employed just now, who are anxiously waiting to be taken on at tho work to be nut in hand by the municipal authorities. J'ho duplication of the ivalermoins and tho tramway deviation of Charlotte Street are looked upon by local labourers with much more favour than t'he Government work offered in tho back-blocks, mainly on account of the fact that tho latter work necessitates, besides expenses of transit, tho keeping of two homes. A Reluctant 40 Per Cent. One phase of the selection of men for co-operative works deserves emphasis— that is, their failure to turn up at tho railway station lo proceed to the work. Practically 10 per cent, of the men chosen do not go, and by implication it shows that their needs cannot, be very pressing, or that thev consider their prospects better in tho city itself. The demand for farm hands is very good, and capable men and boys are in short supply. A large number of- engagements have been effected by the Department during the month, and on the arrival of tho oversea steamers it is fully anticipated that many of the openings now availablo will bo filled. Tradesmen of various classes have also been in demand, principally for tho secondary towns in tho Wellington provincial district. Cabinetmakers, upholsterer.', plumbers, bricklayers, carpenters, coachsmiths, and tinsmiths have been inquired for, but, work locally for such tradesmen being fairly freely offered, there havo not been many engagements made. Tho ontlook for tho coming, summer is full of promise, as far as employment is concerned, and, with the exception of clerks, shop-assistants, and tho physically unfit, thero should bo little time lost by workers. During tho month just ended 142 married and singlo men, comprising bricklayers, carpenters, dairy-farm hands, and labourers, wore found employment on public and private works. Wairarapa and Manawatu, Owing to tho wintry weather experienced during a portion of the month just ended, trade and business generally in Mastodon has not improved to any appreciable extent, and in some, instances it lias been reported as being quiet. Outdoor building-trades men suffered considerably, as also did navvy and other outside workers. Tho forthcoming month gives promise of considerable improvement almost all round. In Pnlmerston North trade generally has been very satisfactory during the past month. The weather has been good, and outside workers havo made failtime. Tailors have been advertised for ■without- suceess;v<ajtd.''£e.vbral Anns have openings for young peoplo of both sexes. Wanganui Brisk, lu Wanganui, trado and labour conditions during the past month havo been good, and considered satisfactory for tho period of the year. In the building trades work has been very plentiful, anil difficulty has been experienced in getting sufficient carpenters. Engineering trades arc. steady, and indications point to improvement during the next mouth. Factory workers in the textile trades have been well occupied, and in most factories overtime has been worked. Retailers report trade good; this applies particularly to the drapery and millinery branches. Welcome rain has improved tho prospects in the country, and very favourable reports liavo been received from dairy occupiers. New Plymouth., Manufacturing trades and business generally in Now Plymouth show a marked improvement on tho previous month. Tho building trades are showing further improved conditions, several dwellings and business places being in course of erection, while tendors aro shortly to be called for other largo buildings. There should bo a good demand for a number of carpenters and other tradesmen necessary for tho erection of theso buildings, which will naturally keep (ho sash and door factories and sawmiMing industry fairly busy for a considerable time. The prospects of trade and employment in Napier are on tho up grade, and tho reports received from tho various sources indicate that tho conditions for this period are equal to those of last year.