TRADE AND LABOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 March 1917, Page 7

TRADE AND LABOR.

SHORTAGE OF WORKMEN. Trade conditions in New Plymouth for the month of February .were well maintained, reports Air. W. J. Wakclin, the local inspector. In the building trades, several large jobs were nearly completed. One or two large building's were contemplated, so that tradesmen were not likely to experience slack times. The furniture trades had declined, and Were more quiet now than they had been for a considerable time past. Retailers, notwithstanding the reduced number of consumers or buyers, were well satisfied with results, and viewed the future- optimistically. Going into details, Mr. Wakelin states that, the bricklaying trade was quiet during the period, and that there was barely sufficient work ,011 hand to absorb the labor oft'ering. AH hands were fully employed in the carpentry, joinery and painting trades. There were good prospects for plasterers. Owing to enlistments, there was an insufficient number 6f tradesmen to cope with the plumbing work available. "Dressmaking was very satisfactory, and all hands were fully employed. Millinery, however, had declined and was now quiet. The shirt-making business was good, andjilthough no overtime was being worked, orders were satisfactory, and full time for,all engaged would probably obtain for some time to eoine. Trade with most of the tailoring firms, particularly those dealing in men's wear, was quiet. Some firms had launched out in the making up of ladies' wear, and they were well satisfied with the result.

Of the retail trades, the clothing business had kept np very satisfactorily during the period. Occupiers of boot shops had reported satisfactory business. The falling-off in men's wear had to a certain extent been compensated for by the, trade in ladies' lines, notwithstanding the considerably increased prices. The drapery trade was gocfo for the first part of the period, and declined la'er. Although somewhat late, some iirms were holding sales, with satisfactory results. The calling up of men for active service had to some extent disturbed the grocery trade, but the volume of business done was fairly satisfactory. Tanning, currying and fellmongering trades were fairly busy, while slaughtering, freezing and preserving work was very brisk, and likely to be so for sometime to eolne. Blacksmiths' orders had been refused in consequence of the dearth of tradesmen. Little business was being done in cabinet-making and upholstering trades, and at the sash and door factories lull time was being worked. The 'boiler-making, electrical engineering, titting and iron and brass-moulding trades were being hindered considerably owing to scarcity of labor, lair business was being done in the leather "trades. Sales of cycles ."/id motor-cars had been <vell maintained.

Now that harvesting was over, and the dairy factories were slackening off, farmers had not found it necessary to engage fresh labor to (ill the. places of those drawn for active service. The aerated water business .was -particularly good. All Hie available unskilled labor had been absorbed, and men were wanted.