ANOTHER GOOD MONTH

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2558, 4 September 1915, Page 12

ANOTHER GOOD MONTH

TRADE & LABOUR

OUSTING GERMAN GOODS Tito report of tho Labour Department for last montli states that notwithstanding that th© moiith of August in previous years has generally been tlio most difficult month of the year so far as obtaining employment is ooncernud, the month just passed has been most satisfactory, and the number of men out of omploy/iiout is comparatively few*. The skilled trades are particularly active, and tlio worker whose employment is pprforco intermittent lias had less anxiety so far. as the tenure of Lis employment is concerned than during the winter months of previous years. A number of large buildings r.ro now in courso of erection, and the num-. • her of dwellings now being erected in the suburbs show no diminution as.a result of the, war. Consequently) all branches of tho building trade are particularly active. , Tho engineering trades remain steady, and it is pleasing to note that one engineering firm in the district is turning _ out a amount of work which prior to tlio war was manufactured almost wholly in Germany. The clothing trades have declined a little, and the overtime worked during tlio montli is considerably lower than the previous months, but there is plenty of work to keep the hands fully occupied. Retailers have bad a quiet month, but as. this is between seasons t'here is nothing exceptional in the slightly Tcduced turnover. The spring goods aro now being opened up, and although some shopkeepers .have been inconvenienced-owing to their inability to obtain shipments from "Home, the great display already mado proves the confidence the shopkeepers have in the publio to purchase their goods. The detailed report on the various trades is as under.:—• Building Trades.—Bricklaying: Busy; there is little or no ."unemployment. Carpentry and joinery: Busy;, no men idle. Painting: Busy; outdoor wark.has bedn interrupted through "tlie wintry' weather. Plastering: Fair. Plumbing j ttnii. gasfitting: Busy. Wood-working Trades.—Boxmaldng: Busy. Oabinotmaking and upholstering: Busy; there is no lack of employment ■ for competent tradesmen. Coopering: Busy. Sash and loor factories: Busy., Wood-turning, etc.: .Fair. Engineering Trades.—Boiler making: Busy. Brass and coppersmithing: Fair. EJcctrical engineering:' Busy. Fitting and turning: There is a .demand for fitters and turners. ' Iron and brass, moulding: Busy. Leather. Trades.—Bootmaking (factories) : Busy; full time is being worked in all factories; repair shops, plenty of work on hand. Saddlery arid liarnoss- ' making: Busy; trade has improved a little, and bands are fully employed. • Clothing Trades.—Dressmaking and millinery: Quiet; this lhontli is.usually a quiet one in this trade. Improvement is anticipated with the advent of spring. Shirtmaking: Very busy;- a considerable amount of overtime' has .been Worked during the period. Tailoring (factories):. Busy; there lias not been the rush of work as during tlie previous months, but all .factories are working full time; (order), fair. iWoolleiHnilling: Very busy. ' Retail Trades. —Clothing, boots, and drapery: Trade has been quiet during what is regarded as tlie slackest'month of the year. Shopkeepers confidently anticipate an improvement shortly. Groceries: Normal. , Printing Trades.—Bookbinding and pnhtiiig-':,'Fairly busy. K.M'ili; Coachbuilding Trades.—Blacksmithing: Busy. Coach, carriage; and tramcar building: Busy. Cycle and Motor Trades.—Trade-is principally confined, to repair; fjulea have been quiet. 1 •' Miscellaneous.—Tho confactionery industry is busy, and a shortage of labour exists. •- ■ '