Labour Conditions

Horowhenua Chronicle, 20 December 1913, Page 3

Labour Conditions

Ks A XEIGHJJOUItm; COUNTY. Just now people are wondering it anything is as conduit as the present unwanted and unseasonable weather. About the inly thing that one can call to mind right away to equal it, avl which calls for a similar hearty objurgation, is the indolence or carelessness of the individual whoso duties it is to forward to the Lab our Department a repo.l on. the trades and labour outlojli in this county. Three months ug-> tin . Journal of the Labour JJeparrnient was marked by the chse-hPO of such a report on this district; the following one in like- case; and a search through the .latest (December) issue gives no evidence; thaiL^previous complaints have had any results in the way of awakening the Labour Journal editor t oa sense of his full responsibilities. This matter should be kept in lively recollection, for there are means of prodding along reluctant or dilatory people. Even the seven sleepers of Carthage were awakened in the end. The Levin Chamber of Commerce might well take a hand in a matter which concerns the district so intimately it may prove a tough job, but will be excellent training It is alleged that in -training for his fight with Johnson, Jeffries sorted out the toughest and hardest knots of wood on which to harden his muscles. The Chronicle gives below the Labour Journal's trades and labour report of the nearest centre, Palinerston North:—

Trade for the past month has been le3S satisfactory than usual, and. the outlook is none too hopeful at present, probably owing to the strike. Outside labour lias also suffered for the same reason, and a few factories have had to slacken off on account of difficulty in getting raw material to work upon. The only trades that do not appear to have suffered are tailoring und dressmaking, which have been busy as usual at this time of the year and working overtime. Building trades: Bricklaying fairly busy. Carpentry and joinery busy. Painting and plastering good. Plumbing and gasfitting busy, except where raw material has been required and .unprocurable from the ports. Stoneinasonry fair. Woodworking trades: Boxmaking fairly busy. Cabinetmaking and upholstering fair. Sash and door factories, sawinilling, und wood-turning, etc., good. Engineering trades very good. Leather trades: Bootmaking (repair shops) busyT Saddlery and lnirnessniaking fair. Clothing trades: Dressmaking and millinery very busy; many factories working overtime. Tailoring (order) very busy; working, overtime in a number of factories. Ketail trades: Clothing, boots, drapery and groceries have all been fairly busy. . Printing trades: Bookbinding and printing very busy. Meat-freezing, etc., slack; works resume operations next month.

Coachbuilding trades: Blacksmithing and coach and carriage building busy. Cycle and motor trades good; new firms are starting , business. Agricultural operations: Farming, dairying, etc., fairly busy. Miscellaneous: A few of the flax-mills are closed down for the want of coal; the larger mills are, however, working. Unskilled labour: There has been no more than the usual number of unemployed callers during , the month. There is a vacancy for a new arrival for milking and delivering on cart. Dressmakers and a hotel laundress are wanted.