THE LABOR MARKET.

Evening Star, Issue 3352, 17 November 1873, Page 2

THE LABOR MARKET.

The labor market in South Canterbury being very sparsely supplied, some of the Road Boards have consented to allow contractors, lidding contracts under them, to suspend operations during the months of November, December, January, aifd February next, in order to allow greater facilities to farmers and sheepowners in getting in this season’s clip of wool, and the harvest.—The Mount Ida Chronicle calls attention to the great excess of demand over supply with regard to the labor market in that district. The sludge channel contractors want 100 hands; Mr Abbot requires another 100 or more for the head race; Mr Dillon, too, we believe, is short-handed; and with all this we must add that that very valuable article on a goldfield—water —has been running to waste for want of hands to use it. 9s and 10s a-day is freely offered at any kind of work: so men could not do better than come up when disengaged.—Regarding the engagement of a portion of the Lady Jocelyn immigrants, the Southland Times of Saturday writes “Yesterday the barracks were thrown open to employers, and within an hour or so all who wished for immediate employment obtained it at high rates of wages. The married couples, with families, and two single men, remained in the barracks last night, but not for want of offers of employment. All the men could have found work at once, but seeing they could command a job at any time, they were in no haste, the married ones preferring to take a day or so to look out for houses for their families before commencing work themselves. The Immigration Officer informs us that if a hundred aud fifty more had come all could easily have made engagements, and he has on his books applications for a large number of workpeople of all classes—carpenters, bricklayers, ploughmen, shepherds, laborers, domestic servants, &c., &c. The immigrants were much pleased with the manner of their reception in Southland, and some of them have already taken advantage of the nominated system to send for their friends. ” Mr Campbell, of WanakaStation, writes to the Dunstan Times as follows “ In reference to my advertisement applying for Chinamen to fill up the vacancies on my station, by way of explanation allow me to say I believe there are plenty of men if they would set in to work; but they seem to be trying their strength to raise the wages. The men have a perfect right to make the best use of their time, therefore I don’t blame them ; hut I would warn them that it is possible to go a little too far, and overdo the thing. As far as lam concerned, I intend to take things very easy. Any sheep I don’t shear this year will come in with double fleeces next, and, as carriage is likely to be high this year, I think I shall be the gainer. I have employed Chinese in Victoria as shepherds, and found them very good men, but I must say I prefer the European.”