THE LABOUR MARKET

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2535, 9 August 1915, Page 7

THE LABOUR MARKET

HARVEST AND OTHER PROSPECTS. With a view to organising the labour likely to be required for' harvesting operations, the various agencies of the Labour Department throughout the Dominion are now recording the names of men who will be available for this work. It is expected that the men will first be required iii the Rangitikei, Manawatu, Wanganui, and Wairarapa districts of the North Island. 11l the Auckland province expert opinion shows that there will be enough labour to meet requirements. It is in the South Island particularly that tho shortage of labour is likely to be most acute, and it is with a view to meeting this shortage that the Department of Labour is now taking steps, in conjunction with the various agricultural and farmers' societies, to supply the number of men likely to be required. There are already severaL names of men used to this class of work on the .Wellington list. A summary of the reports of unemployment received by the' Labour Department for the week ending August 2 shows that the position has considerably brightened as compared with the previous week. At Auckland there were 95 men unprovided for, but against this the Department had authorities to place 115 men. In Gisbcrne, New Plymouth,' Wanganui, Palmerston North, Masterton, Nelson, Groymouth, Oamaru, aud Inyercargill there are practically no applicants for work. In Wellington the surplus for the week was eight, due, no doubt,, to the very large number of men sent to work at Trontham. In this connection it is expected, that there will be work for' 100 artisans and 200 labourers at the various camps, but mainly at Trentham and Featherston. It has not been possible to supply all the men from the Wellington district, consequently the other agencies of the Department have been drawn upon.. Twenty labourers arrived from' Christ- ' church on Saturday, and' a further thirty/ are expected this week. ■ In Christchurcli, in, consequence of the comparatively large number of men assisted, tho surplus has been reduced to 84, whereas prior to last week's report the unemployed numbered considerably over 100. In Dunedin there aro fifteen waiting, most of whom can be placed' in co-operative' works in the district. ■