THE LABOUR MARKET

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2714, 8 March 1916, Page 3

THE LABOUR MARKET

SUPPLY AND DEMAND IN FEBRUARY. The .number of unskilled workers assisted to employment during February (states fcho monthly report of the Labour Department) shows an increase of nearly 50 per cent, over the month of January. All tradesmen who applied for work were sent to employment, and soma difficulty was experienced in supplying the demands made for certain classes of ' tradesmen, especially plasterers and plumbers. These were, however, obtainable before the month was out. Many calls have been received from men who are inclined to pick and choose local work rather than accept employment of a more permanent nature elsewhere. This is particularly so in the case of farm hands, several employers having been without men for somo considerable time. A considerable number of men have been placed with the City Council. The Department has been instrumental in finding work for enlisted men (while waiting to bo called into camp), and several discharged soldiers liavo been sent to employment. During the month 24S men have been assisted to' employment, comprising 95 married men and 153 single men. The number sent to private employment was 212, and 3G to Government works. Those assisted comprised bricklayers, boilermakers, carpenters, painters, plasterers, plumbers, farm hands, hotel workers, and general labourers. They came from the following localities: 53 from the North Island, 47 from the South Island, 19 from the Commonwealth, 119 from Great Britain, and 10 from other places. In addition, 4 wives and. 6 children wero assisted to join their relatives. All the skilled trades have been active throughout the period. Now buildings are proceeding apace, and are being erected as fast as the labour offering will permit. Buildings in course of erection at the present time will absorb the skilled men offering for some time to come. The engineering trades also liave been kept particularly _ busy during the month, hut a slackening off is anticipated in the near future. There will be, however, a sufficient amount of work to keep all regular hands fjilly. employed. The textile trades have been busy; in only one or two branches— viz., order tailoring and dressmaking, has there been a falling off. Retailors also, report a very, satisfactory turnover. The autumn sales are nearly over, and the many houses report that salos were the most successful for some years. Owing to the dislocation in the shipping, some shopkeepers received their summer shipments too late, and have thus a considerable amount of stock on hand, which, of necessity, lias to be cleared at reduced prices. Fancy goods dealers and tobacconists are doing exceedingly good business, and t« these tradespeople the war, consequent on the influx of so many members of the Expeditionary Forces into the city, has resulted in a greatly increased turnover.