TRADE AND LABOUR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1347, 26 January 1912, Page 6

TRADE AND LABOUR.

LABOUR JOURNAL'S REPORT FOR DECEMBER. "EXASPEKATIXG AND DISAPPOINTING." The following reports on trade and labour in December arc extracted from Iho "Labour Journal,'' which came to liiinil yesterday •— WELLINGTON. "I 1 nun a business point of view, Decern bor lias proved a mo.st exasperating iintl disappointing month to shopkeepers generally. Although it is now well into summer, there lias been practically no spell of fine weather. Through not being able to clear their spring and summer goods in the usual season, many traders will suffer a severe loss. Business during the first half of the mouth was dislocated by the elections. In the second half there was all abnormal activity, which, however, was seriously checked by the wretched weather. But for this handicap business in the shops (although confined to the latter half of the month) would have constituted a record for December. This certainly indicates there is a plenitude of money, and, given climatic conditions suitable for spending purposes, business prospects for the next month or so may be said to be distinctly hopeful. The building trades are reported busy. Mechanical, engineering is fairly .quiet, but all other manufacturing; trades have been active. Building trades: Beyond a slight falling off in the bricklaying, the month has been a fairly good one in all branches. Ne?.r*y all work slopped in the last week for the holidays, and it is anticipated that ample work will offer during next month for all artisans. Woodworking trades: Cabinetmaking and upholstering have been quite brisk for some time; in cabinetmaking a shortage of hands is marked—chairmakers particularly are wanted. Knginee.ring trades: There to a very slight improvement reported in some branches, but not nearly sufficient to bring trade up to its normal standard. Boilermaking is quiet, and there is nothing in view to expect early improvement. Brass and copper-smithing have kept fairly active, and an opening exists for good 'coppersmiths. Electrical engineering'. This industry lias been for a, long time very brisk, and with the placing of several country orders the prospects of these excellent conditions continuing are very bright. Leather trades: The boot trade, both in factories and in repair shops, has been very good, a number of employers declaring the month to have been a record one. Clothing trades: Dressmaking and millinery workrooms have been very busy, owing to a rush of orders immediately before the holidays; unless seasonable weather soon obtains considerable loss will be made in both these industries. Shirtmaking and underclothing—Work has been at high pressure; there is still a marked scarcity of hands. Clothing factories—Work is plentiful, and hands are badly wanted. Printing trades: December has been a very good month all round, but trade is now expected to slow down. Meat-freezing, etc.: The. season is now in full swing, and in every way satisfactory. Tanning, currying, and i fellmongering—Trade has been very good., and is likely to improve during the next few months. Coachbuilding trades: The good report of the previous months has been well maintained in all branches.

Cycle and motor trades: On account of the unsettled weather trade, although good, has hardly come up to anticipations. Unskilled labour: There has been a decided decrease in the number of applications for employment during December. The unskilled labourer has shared with the tradesman a steady spell of work. The large amount of country work offering has been responsible, no doubt, for enticing a large number of workers away from the town; hence work locally has been somevjbat easier to obtain than during previous months, and competent men have had little difficulty in securing ready employment. Farm hands arc in great demand, and it is evident that owing to the lateness of the season this year "employers will experience great difficulty in getting the required hands this and next month. During the period 10G men were sent to employment (26 married and 80 single men), with a toUil of 72 dependents; of this number. 91 were sent to private employment, and 15 to public works. MASTERTON. During the period just ended trado and business has maintained a very fair level, although outdoor work has been seriously hampered by the recent unfavourable weather conditions, and in consequence shearing operations, which under ordinary circumstances should be completed in this district, arc still in several cases only commencing or about half-way through. Haymaking has also been greatly delayed, and harvesting will be late. Building trades' throughout continue brisk, and no tradesmen in any of the branches are reported idle. Competent tradesmen are still required in the coachbuilding, and seem almost unobtainable. Furniture trades continue to show an improvement, and a few competent hands could be placed. General business during Christmas week was reported in the majority of cases very satisfactory. PALMERSTON NORTH. Trade has been satisfactory during the past month. Printers have been exceptionally busy owing to the elections. Outside workers seem to have been fairly well employe 1. Sales have been pievalen't. ami retail traders have been very busy. Dressmakers and tailoressco have bevn baiiiy wanted, as also have Ijee.i a few hotel as'sistants. Carpenters, too, have been required. WANGANUI. The general state, of trade is in a very nourishing condition. Those directlv interested express themselves as well satisfied with the business transacted during the month. The unseasonable weather caused a slackness in the drapery and lighter-clothing trades during the earlier part of the month, and the bad weather on Christmas Eve materially diminished the volume of trade expected; still, tho ultimate results for the month are considered very satisfactory. Amongst the class of retailers who cater for Christmas novelties, etc., thero was excellent trade done, the turnover being considered an improvement over past years. The prospects in the building trades are bright, as several large contracts have been'recently let. Outside labour suffered very much during the month on account of the vagaries of the weather, which of necessity caused much broken time Among the unskilled workers there has been no difficulty whatever, sufficient work ottering locally to absorb all those seeking employment. Judging bv the way in which the various shows were patronised during Christmas week, and by the attendance and enthusiasm showii at the various places of amusement during the holidays, one is forced to the conclusion that this district is experiencing a season ot great prosperity. HASTINGS. Business is now in a nourishing condition, although at the commencement of the mouth it was somowhat disorganised ?m ln ", '•" ,up approach of the elections, lho building and its allied trades still maintain a buoyant appearance, with every indication of continuing so for some time, the drapers and clothiers have had a good month. Tailoring has also been exceptionally busy. The dealers in tovs, fancy goods, and Christmas cards report a good turnover. The grocerv transactions have been wsll up to those of previous periods. The unskilled labour market absorbs all surplus men. The installation of the. sewerage and water-supply affords employment for n considerable number of workers. Shearing has been "cut out" at most of tho stations around Hastings.and in consequonce a largo amount of cash is placed in circulation in the town. The Frimley Canning Works have had a good month, and providing the supply of fruit and vegetables is forthcoming the activity will continue. The value of building permits issued during the period was ,£3GSO. NAPIER. Tlio information supplied by the manufacturers, retailers, and workers provides material for a very encouraging report. The volume of trade has, in practically every instance, boon equal to that of tho same period of last year. The vendors »l' toys and f'hristnias gifts report that Jlipy have luid an exceedingly busy period ; in mn?t. rases the turnover exceeded that of last year. The grocers report

a good month's trade. The tailoring trade has had an exceptionally good month; there was a shortage of women workers, l'ho milliners and dressmakers liave had ,a good month. Tho boot-retailero havu had u busy uionth, equal to tho same period of provious. years. Jewellers report a good turnover. The furniture trade, in so far as tho retail business is concerned, has had an average month's roturn, but the manufacturing portion does not show any increase; there is a vacancy for a good upholsterer. 'Die general condition of the labour market has been good. Those connocted with the building hade in all its branches have had a busy month, and so far all artisans seeking employment have readily found it. The unskilled worker has been in considerable demand. Agricultural operations are in full 'siring, but there has not been any shortage of hands. There has been a demand for waitresses and casual labour for hotels and restaurants, but the demand has exceeded tho supply. The value of building permits issued during the period was .£2814. NEW PLYMOUTH. The period just ended has been verv unsatisfactory from tho point of view of the retail trader and th* dairy-farmer. The weather has been very unsettled right through tho month. Drapers in particular have been adversely affected; , summer goods have been quite unsaleable owing to the cold, wet weather. The output of butter and cheese from the various factories, instead of being in excess of previous seasons, as was generally anticipated, lias been much below the aver- •■-?. Tho building trade and most of tho manufacturing trades have had a fair month. Carpenters and paiuters have had plenty of work on hand, but they have been retarded considerably by the weather. The order tailoring and dressmaking trades have been very brisk during the mouth.