THE LABOUR MARKET

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2536, 10 August 1915, Page 3

THE LABOUR MARKET

PROSPECTS STILL GOOD

TEXTILE INDUSTRIES NOT

REDUCED

Tho tone of the monthly report of tho 'Labour Department for tlso period eliding July 31 indicates that ali industries ore quite as busy as is usual at this time of tho year, while somo aro more fully employed, on account of tho war. Tho report states: —"Thero is very little alteration to report in tlio condition of trade and labour than obtained during the previous month. Owing to the climatic conditions, outdoor workers wero compelled to stand off work- during the period, and their earnings were thus decreased. Tho building trades still remain fairly activo. The engineering trades are also satisfactory, and few if any. skilled tradesmen in this branch of-industry aro idle. Tho textile industries are quite up to the usual standard; tlio usual shortening of hands which occurs in clothing factories at this season of the year has not been found necessary." . Trade Reports.

The reports from the individual trades aro as follow:—Bricklaying—Fairly busy.. Carpentry and Joinery.—Busy. 'A considerable number of tradesmen have been employed on the hutments at Trentham. Tho work in the City has absorbed all workers offering. Painting.—Fair; work lias been intejjnittent during the period, and tlioro has been .i fair*amount of broken time. Plastering.—Fail-. Plumbing and Gasfitting — Trado is steady, and thero are few, if nny, tradesmen, out of employment. Stonomasonry. —Fair; it is anticipated that work on the new Parliamentary Buildings mil be pushed ahead, and improved conditions are expected. Woodworking Trades. —Box-making: Fair. Cabinet-making and "Upholstering: Busy; there is a demand for competent tradesmen. Coopering.—Fair. _ Sash and Door Factories.—Busy. Wood-turning, etc.—Fairly busy. Engineering Trades. —Boilermaking: Busy. Brass and Coppersmithing: Fair. Electrical Engineering: Busy. Fitting and Turning: Busy; work is offering for fitters. Iron and' Brass Moulding: Fairly busy. Leather Trades.—Bootmaking (Factories) : Busy; full time has been worked in all factories. Bootmaking (Repair Shops): Busy. Saddlery and Harnessmaking:. Owing to tho completion of Government orders, trado is a. little quieter than the previous months. Dressmaking and Millinery.—Trade has declined a little, and the,advent of Spring is awaited before improvement in trado is expected. Sliirtmaking.— Busy. Tailoring (factories). —Very busy; there is a shortage of femalo labour. Tailoring- (order). —Quiet. Wool-'en-milling.—Busy; full time is being .ivorked. Retail Trades.—Clothing: Fair _busiiess transacted. Boots: Business good. Drapery: The sales have been in. full swing, and'tho turnover is quite up to expectations. Groceries: Normal. Bookbinding and Printing: ■ Trade has been a little quieter than usual, but no ■ shortening of hands has taken place. Meat Preserving, Etc. —Tanning, Cur* rying, and Fellmongery: Quiet. Slaughtering, Pressing, and Preserving: Quiet: C'oachbuilding Trades. —Blacksmithing : Busy. Coach, Carriage, and Tramcar Building: Fair; there are no tradesmen out of. employment. Cyclo and Motor Trades.—Trade has been good throughout the month, principally on repair ivork. Unskilled Workers.

"During the mouths the number, of unskilled callers was greater than last, but a good deal of employment was offering, 187 men having received assistaijce. Of tlie total assisted 78 are married and 10 ( J single men; 72 were sent to Government works, and Ho vroro placed with priavte employers; 52 came from the North Island,. 35 from, tho South Island, ' 22 from the Commonwealth* 7:3 from Great Britain,_ and 6. from other;countries. In addition, 1 wife and A children were assisted to join their relatives. The prospects for tho coming month; are bright. At time.or writing labourers and hammer and drill men are required for public works at Raotihi. To Kot-i, Sandy Bay, and Otira."

The matron of the Hospital desires to acknowledge with thanks the following gifts-. Books and papers, Mrs. Barke, Mrs." Lockhardt, Soldiers' Comforts Guild;- cakes for soldiers, Mrs. J. R. Palmer; flowers, Mrs. Hills, Miss Mantell; old linen, Mrs. Mantell; case of pineapples for soldiers, Mr. J. J. Williamson (Adelaide Road); soup, jelly, rakes, case of oranges for soldiers, Mrs. Salek (The Terracc);" two cases apples, six dozen eggs, three billies soup. 151b. cake, for sick soldiers, the Soldiers' Comforts Depot (per Mrs. Myers); clothing, for soldiers, Military Hospital Guild (per Mrs. Luke).