TRADE AND LABOUR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3028, 15 March 1917, Page 9

TRADE AND LABOUR

LITTLE CHANGE STATE DEPARTMENT'S REPORT Tlio Labour Department's Wellington report for February has been prepared. Tlio report eaysTliore is very little differenco to report in trado and la-, bour conditions since last month. The continued spell of dry weather has assisted outßido work, although, the question of sufficient milk is still causing considerable anxiety. Thero Jus beon a gradual falling off in tlio retail trades and after season sales are still in progress. . . . Engineering trades are very busy, and tlio shortage of mechanics is becoming more acutc. Cabinetmaking has been somewhat slacker this month, but the prospects are ; good, considering the shortage of skilled men. Clothing and bootmaking trades are up to thoir usual standard, and army contracts aro likely to keep them so.. Building Trades.—Bricklaying fairly busy. Carpentry and joinery busy. Painting very busy. "Plumbing and gssfitting busy, in."it etill remiired. Woodworking Trades.—Cabinetmakiiior owl v-iboistering fairly busy, skilled ir:r>n still required. Hstail furniture trades vary busy, prices prevailing. Coopering busy. Sash and door factories are up to their usual standard. Boxmaking busy. Engineering Trados.—Agricultural implement-making fair. • Boiler-mak-ing busy. Brass and oopper-srnithing busy. ' Turning niid fitting, rery busy: mechanics still in demand. _ Iron ami ! brass moulding busy; electrical engineering busy. Leather Trades.—Bootmaking (factories) in full swing. Boot repairing bupv. but high cost of leather and materials, leaves Tioor profits. ' Saddlery and harness-making busy, but is handilined with shortage of supplies. Clothing Trade-.—Dressmaking and' millinery show slight improvement. Shirtmaking. verv busy; more hands are reouired. Tailoring (factories'), and (order), aro both very busy. Tho froollen mills nrn still in full swing, and a considerable amount of overtime has Von worked. _ . Retail Trados.—Clothing, drapery, boots, groceries, etc.. are keeping up to the standard. Several branch'shops have been closed down—the calling up of men is 110 doubt one of the causes of this—whilst on tlio other hand several now businesses have been opened un. Moat Freezing, Etc. —The freezing works throughout the district aro now in full swing. Tho trouble over shortar.o of slaughtermen has now been averted, but labourers aro scarce. Fellmongcring and tanning, liusv.

Coaohbuilding, very busy in all branches, especially in motor-body building. Cvelo and Motor Trades.—Busy in all branohes. ' ; Miscellaneous.—Jewellery ■' trados, very, busy, overtime being . wbrlted." Tint and pap making, busy. " Unskilled Labour. —During the period 41 married and 93 single men were assisted; 123 were sent to private employment, and 11 to Government works. Those assisted comprised a blaoksmitli, bootmaker, carpenters, plasterers, slaughtermen, farm hands,, hotel workers, penern! labourers, etc.: 21 came from the North Island, 20 from tho South'. .Island, .34 froni. tho Commonwealth, 58 from Great Britain, and one from other countries. In addition, 3 wives and 4 children were assisted to ioin their relatives. Many men call who refuso to register theirnames, thus wo are unable to have a complete record of the liumbor of applicants for work. There aro still a number who have filled in cards await- j ing employment.