THE LABOR MARKET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 12 September 1907, Page 4

THE LABOR MARKET.

The following labor report in respect] of New Plymouth appears in the current number of the Department of Labor Journal:— There is a noticeable improvement in the labor market since last report; this is evidenced more particularly in milking and casual work. Quite a number of applications have been received for milkers during the latter part of the month, and it has been a rather difficult matter in some cases to meet requirements. During the month 10 men were required for the Mount E'gmont railway, but in spite of the fact that a local was inserted in the daily papers, no applications were received. Trade and business generally have been well maintained during the past month. Drapers, however, complain that the mild winter we have experienced has not been at all conducive to the sale of winter goods to the extent anticipated. Oil-boring operations are being pushed on vigorously, in some cases work is being carried on almost continuously, although it is a very difficult matter to obtain definite information. It is evident that those who are intimately acquainted with the prospects are very sanguine as to the ultimate success of their speculation. Ten applicatons for employment were reccved during the month, four being recent arrivals from England. In all cases situations were obtained with private employers, four 1 in the town, and the remaining six in I the countrv.

Building trades: Painters, carpenters, and plumbers are all fully employed, no applications for work having been received in these trades. Bricklayers are a little busier than for some months past. Sash and door factories arc still fairly busy, considerable difficulty being experienced in obtaining boys as apprentices. Engineering: Trade has been well maintained. The moulding branch has been more active than for some months past. Boot factories: Trade shows no alteration from last report, the principal difficulty here, as elsewhere, is to obtain sufficient female labor. Boots (retail and repairing): Business is well maintaned. Clothing trade: Factories arc still busy, the same trouble obtains here as in the boot trade, a shortage of female labor; some overtime has been worked. Retail trade (general): Business continues fairly regular, and quite up to the standard of last month. Miscellaneous: Saddlers and harnessmakers arc doing good steady business. Coachbuilders report that business is not quite as brisk as last month. Blacksmiths: There is no noticeable alteration since last report. Butter-box factories have resumed operations, and will soon be in full swing again. Unskilled labor: A number of good pick-and-shovel men are still required for Government railway construction works. Private contractors have been successful in obtaining sufficient labor to meet their requirements up to the present. A few men will be required locally in a few days. '