LABOUR REPORT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8237, 15 September 1906, Page 6

LABOUR REPORT.

The Journul of the Department of Labour for August has the following concerning M&stertou and Tinui:— Masterton.—There is very little change since last month's report, , trade being in what may be termed a normal condition for this time of the year. The older established bouses roport good business, but some who have ieconly started have felt the pi<:ch of the slajk season. There is a general tendency amongst the retail business firms to iraprovo their shop-frouts and provide increased accommodation. This applies more particularly to drapery and mercery establishments, aud one can now see pome really up-to dato shop-fronts in Masterton. Building trades: Th-> building and allied trades have been fairly well employed during the month, the large majority of local tradesmen having put iu full tiaie. Several bueinesti premises iny] brink are at present iu course of erection. Eugiueerug trade: This tracte has been fairly busy, and tnore are indications that the coming season will I bo a good one. (Joochbuilding: Steady" l business is reported, with a tendency towards improvement. Furniture trades: Cabinet-making, upholstering, etc., appears to be rather slack at present; some of the workmen have been put on short time. This is difficult to account for, unless it is owing to the importation of furnituie manufactured in the larger centres. Dressmaking: Not very busy. It is anticipated that there will be an improvement next month. Tailoring trade: This trado has continued fairly good during the winter, and reports indicate that it is quite up to the usual standard at present. Retail trades igenoral): Reports vary considerably. Taking an average, it may be said that the volume of business is, if anything, greater than at the corresponding period of last year. Unskilled labour: There has been a fair number of men looking for work, as is usual at this period, the large majority being irom outside tbe colony. Work has not teen very plentiful for ordinay labourers, but experienced bushmen, etc., have for the most part been able to obtain emoloymeut. Unfortunately a number of the applicants are not fit physically, or do not possess the experience necessary tor bushwork. Tiuui.—Building trades: Owing to wet weather meu have lost a good deal of time. Retail trado: Fair business has been done iu all. branches,, during tbe month, but the wet weather and the bad state of the roads has not improved matters, Miscellaneous: Saddlers and blacksmiths have bean doing a good business during the month, and their trade is on the increase. * Unskilled labour: All looal men have been fairly employed during the month ,at roadwork, scrubcutting, plougning, draining and fencing, but the wet weather erevented them getting in full time. Several swaggers were seen ou the road during tne month, but they had just finished their contracts of bush and scrub-felling, and they were making for various par*s of the colony, as they could not obtain further employment in the district through the bad state of the roads, which prevents stores, etc, being taken into the baokblooks.