LABOR MARKET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 170, 24 January 1912, Page 8

LABOR MARKET.

OFFICIAL REPORT. THE BUSINESS POINT OF VIEW. The current issue of the Labor Journal reports:— ' From a business point of view December has proved a most exasperating and disappointing «month to siiopkeepers generally. Although it is now well into summer there lias been practically not spell of fine f: weather. ' Through not being able'to clear their spring and summer goods in the usual season, many traders will suffer fc, severe loss. Business during the first half of the, month was dislocated by the ejections. In the second half thero was an abnormal activity, which, however, was seriously checked by the wretched weather. But for this handicap business in the shops (although confined to the latter half' of the month) would have constituted a record for December. This certainly indicates there is a plentitude of money, and, given climatic* conditions suitable ,for spending purposes, business prospect* for the next month or so may be said ' to be distinctly hopeful. The building trades are reported busy. ( Mechanical engineering is fairly quiet, but all other manufacturing trades hare beeri active, : UNSKILLED LABOR. ! There has 'been a decided decrease in the number of applications for 1 employment during December. T,he unskilled laborer has shared with the tradesman a steady spell of work. The amount of country work offering has been responsible, no t doubt, for enticing a large number of workers away ( fstm tha town; hence work locally has been somewhat easier to obtain than during previous months, and competent ' men have had little difficulty in securing ready employment. Slaughtering and freezing operations have started in the two large factories at Petone and Ngahauranga, and work on the wharves and wool stores has been very active. The department has had no difficulty in placing all able-bodied applicants is employment during the month, and any time lost has been: mainly due to.tht "inclement weather prevailing..' A very' large number of vacancies in the country' districts were held over 1 , until after th« New Year, and are still availabls. Farm hands are in great demand, and it ia evident that owing to the lateness of the season this year employers will experience great difficulty in getting the Tequired hands this and next month. During the period 100 men'were sent t» employment (26 married and 80 singfe men), with a total of 72 dependants; of this number, 91 were sent to privata employment and 15 to public works.