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Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 171, 21 July 1910, Page 2

For the first time in the industrial history of New Zealand, the Labour Department's report has to show a decrease in the number of persons employed in manufactures. Establishments are more numerous, it states, but the workers are fewer. In many cases those who have been thrown out of employment set up businesses of their own, while the scarcity of young people entering industrial life caused, further vacancies in the factory ranks. Wages paid in manufacture last year totalled over five and three-quarter millions, an increase of 3.2 per cent for the year. This compares favourably with the usual rate of advance, but the gross total was the highest yet recorded. The employment bureaux found positions last year for 77,078 workers, and satisfaction is expressed at the fact that the numbers sent to private employers were larger than the Government works, whereas 3447 were employed last year, as against 6201 in the previous year, when the j Main Trunk railway was not quite comj pleted.

The Women's Employment Branch of the Labour Bureau, Auckland, is evidently doing good work. The report for June states that 203 applications were dealt with, and 52 engagements were made. The report further slates: "Although this is regarded as the quietest time of the year, there is an abundance of good work offering, and no woman who is willing to work, and holds references as to character and ability, need be an hour out of employment if she applies to the Department."