THE LABOUR MARKET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 89, 15 April 1903, Page 2

THE LABOUR MARKET.

The journal of the Department of Labour, under date of April 9th, gives fairly satisfactory reports of the state of business generally in Auckland. The building trades are reported as still very busy, engineering rather quiet, there being no extensive orders in hand; boot trade though dull shows signs of improvement, as orders are beginning to come in. The clothing trade is reported as not quite so busy, but retail trade generally ia stated to be steady. While retail saddlery is reported quiet manufacturing is fairly busy. Ooachbuilding shows no apparent falling off, but at the same time there is scarcely enough work for all applicants owing to the influx of artisans from Australia. As regards unskilled labour in Auckland, the report states: Although applicants have been augmented by weekly arrivals up to the present work has been available for those suitable for hard manual labour. The building trades are also reported brisk throughout the colony. The unemployed assisted by the Labour Department, in Auckland district during March totalled 140, of whom 116 were single, and 30 married. Of the total 136 were sent to Government works, and the other 10 to private employment; 1)3 were from the North Island, one from the South, two from Victoria, 20 from New South Wales. 11 from Queensland, six from South Australia, and four from Croat Britain. The total number .of artisans and other workmen employed on co-operative works are: 214 artisans, 9557 labourers, total 2771. On the Department of Roads the men ej»pl°yf arc as follows:-Auckland district, 403; Tβ Kuite, 189; Rotorua, 148; Hawkes Bαv 102; Taranaki, 204; Whanganm, 071 •' Wellington, 433; Marlborough, 9<; Nelson 82;■ Weetlnntl, 136; Canterbury, oi- Ohio-o 80; Southland, 103, total, OT, making;agrand total employed. On the North Island Trunk line the artisans employed number 113 and labourers 1123.