LABOUR JOURNAL REPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 225, 20 September 1905, Page 10

LABOUR JOURNAL REPORT.

The Labour Journal for September publishes the following general Bummarv: "The majority of the reports for the month show that most lines of trade and business are on the dull side, and various reasons are given for same, but the principal one is the usual winter weather which makes earning decent wages almost a matter of impossibility to outside workers; their spending-power boing thus diminished affects the tailor, the shoemaker and other branches of industry. This must not by any means be considered a depression, but is the natural consequence of the midwinter season; but there is another factor which apparently business people have not yet realised—that is, that all branches of business have greatly spread, and that purchases consequently are diffused over a considerably increasing number of shops. This is applicable to all towns of any size in the country.

September should show a gTeat improvement on the month just gone. It is a matter of congratulation that in some places the agricultural-implement industry seems able to hold its own against the imported makos, and that farmers are encouraging the local article. The Dunedin report is very favourable, yet in Christchurch, where this should have been most notable, we are told that some manufacturers state there is a slight falling-off. This falling-off may. of course, only refer to a few manufacturers' specialties. It is to be hoped that New Zealand agricultural-implement makers will be able to successfully compete against imported goods, and thus be the means of keeping our workeTs fully employed. There is very little change in other trades in Christchurch. although it is worthy of note that many places of business closed during Grand National week on both Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, showing either that business \vas so good that they could afford to do so, or it was so dull that it did not pay to klep open.

Nelson reports that, owing to large contracts being let, the local brickyards will have a job to keep the supply up to the demand. The Tonga Bay Granite Company have started at their new works cutting granite blocks for building purposes. There is also another new industry started —viz., japanning leather and manufacturing kid leather for gloves, for which it is hoped a market will be obtained in the colony.

Wellington has little change to report, excepting the increasing number of people who are landing here from other f>arts of the colony, and also from oversea. English advices to hand show that quite a number of people from Great Britain are now on tneir way to New Zealand. These are made up of many different trades and professions.

Palmerston North reports little change on last month. It is said that the opening of the new Opera House was responsible for something like £1200 being taken out of the town, thus showing that the spending-power of the people on amusements has not Buffered.

Dunedin report will show that Dunedin compares very favourably with the rest of the colony.

The efforts being made to aettle people on the land by means of the resumption of large holdings suitable for subdivision, the establishment of workers' homes, etc., should, and no doubt will, tend to make a great improvement in the veil-being oi the people. The Labour Department continues to receive letters from all over the world inquiring as to the colony, its lawa, etc.