LABOUR CONDITIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9542, 14 July 1909, Page 3

LABOUR CONDITIONS.

THE"DEPARTMENT'S REPORTS. The following notes on the state of the labour market throughout the Dominion for the month ending June 30th are taken from the Labour Department's Journal. Wellington. Trade generally has been quiet, irore especially in the building trade, all branches of which have been exceedingly slack. In the painting trade a;one there at least seventy to eighty hnnds out of work, and the prospects of them obtaining employment in the near tuture seems exceedingly remote. There are also a large number of carpenters, buildI ers' labourers, and plasterers out of work, and it is stated by various authorities that the position is worse now than it has been for many years. Bootmaking, dressmaking, and millinery are, however, fairly brisk, and hands in these trades have been I fairly well employed. One hundred j and forty-one men have been assisted !to public and private emloyment j during the past month, comprising sixty married and eighty-ones single I men, with 218 dependents). The I number of applicants for work ! during that period is considerably in excess of those placed, but every effort has been made to iind suitable emloyment for them, more especially for local married men. In a large number of cases these men object to leave the city for country work, especially at this time of the year, and local work has therefore been offered as it became available. During the latter part of the month bushfelling and railway work were freely offered to those men who were willing and capable to undertake it, , but in not a few cases the offer was declined. There are a number of callers still on the books quite unsuitable for any kind of hard manual labour, and at the present time it is almost impossible to place them. Those assited comprisa bricklayers, capenters, farm hands, engineers, plasterers, hotel hands, and labourers. Auckland. There is practically no change in the condition of trade and labour in this district, but what littls: change occurs is really for the worse, in so far that there are more men calling to register their names for work than during the previous period. Building trades, generally speaking, are very quiet, and there are a large number of tradesmen out of work. Bricklaying is in the same condition as was the case last month. It is reported by the union secretary that there are some thirty men employed, but an examination of the employment book shows one man. only as being registered. Carpentry and joinery very slack; there are thirty- two carpenters registered as out of work. Painting still very slack, there being no fewer than twentynine painters idle. Plumbing trade quiet, there being five men registered out of work. Unfortunately there has been a 1 considerable increase in the number of unskilled men registering their names for work; there are 284 men on the Department's books, while I 153 tradesmen are also reported idle. Duiing the period from May 20th ito June . 19tb, seventy-three men ' were assisted to work—vijs., eleven married a:-d sixty-two single men — sixt\-nine of whom were sent to private employment. i Very little improvement is shown. | Christchurch. I Anticipations in regard to the boot trade have not been realised, and it | will be necessary in some factories Ito either reduce hand 3 or to em--1 ploy the workers on short time. j Several fair sized building contracts . are expected out shor'.ly. The un- ' skilled labour market sh ivva a large increase of unemployed. Unfortunately, most of the married men are unwilling or unable for various reasons to leave the town f«• work. j Hunedin. I Trade in the city for the first fortnight of the month was excellent, due no doubt to the influx of visitors to the Winter Show, but unfortunately, these conditions were not maintained,and during the latter half trade has fallen below normal. That is particularly r.oticeahle in the drapery and textile branches. Occupiers in other trades give brighter reports, but, on the whole, trade for the month has not been up to the average, of the corresponding period in previous years. In the building trades, though conditions are very dull, employers do not anticipate a continued depression. Napier. A general quietness in trade is reported. General prospects for the future are very bright, but for the present it is not wise for men seeking work to wast? tima and money coming into this district. The applicants for unskilled employment have not been very numerous. It has been reported that the Borough Council has given notice to a number of men that their services will no longer be required. With these men out of employment, prospects are very gloomy. The skilled trades generally show an improvement, and the various retail trades are doing satisfactory business. WanganuL An upward tendency is noted. Many firms state that it is merely the tightness of money that is causing the slump. There is plecty of of work ahead, but tradersi and manufacturers experience such great difficulty in getting money in, that they do not feel justified in entering into further .contracts until the money market is easier. Palmerston North

Retail trades have had a fairly busy time preparing for the midwinter show and Industries Week. Now that these two events have Das3ed off business is very quiet and seasonable. Work generally has been very scarce, men being put off in all branches of trade. Masterton.

Some trades have shown a slight tendency towards improvemennt, while others have remained ay hefore—still very quiet. From repurts received, the retail trade shows signs of firmness, not previously noticeable. Building trades are expected to become more acti\te n the near future, but at preseflV' they are still slack. Brickwork, pipe and brick making Terrain very quiet, consequently a number of menjwhotusually enjoy steady work can obtain ..only intermittent emploj'ment. Coachbualding and black-

smithing are rather quieter than last month. The manufacture and sale of furniture received a check this month, owing to the extensive sales of furniture, bedding, and general furnishings taking place at some of the local hotels. Butter and cheese factories in most instances have closed down for the season.