THE LABOUR MARKET.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 78, 2 April 1913, Page 6

THE LABOUR MARKET.

■AN'-IMUSUAL FLUCTUATION.

The condition of 'the labour market ia Auckland at the present time does nob appear to ibe as satisfactory as might be ■wished, judging by investigations made by a "Star" representative to-day. The employment books of 'the various unions show that a fair number of men are at present locking for work. The building trade appears to .be in the least satisfactory condition. Some ten carpenters, 15 painters, and 12 plumbers have recorded their names as 'being at present on the unemployed list, this number being rather unusual at this time of the year. Most of the other unions have also had the same experience. One union official said that there were more unemployed just now thaa ■was the case 12 months ago. He attributed this state of affairs to the stringency in the money market, which, he said, was "holding u-p contracts. Contractors and speculators were averse to paying 6, 7, or as much as 8 per cent for borrowed money, and were consequently marking time. He was of opinion that the trouble would, be lesa acute when money eased up, as it would do when the loans now being negotiated •were in circulation.

There is little doubt that the preparations for the Exhibition have prevented matters from being worse than they are, and, as one labour officer put it, "The labour market would .be fluctuating considerably more than it is doing had it not been for the Exhibition." Asked as to whether he thought prospects would be brighter soon, he replied that with the winter coming on he did not think there was much likelihood of any immediate improvement. - Inquiries made at the Labour Department elicited the information that since Christmas there had been a good many applications for employment by unskilled labourers. During the past tvco or three weeks these applications had been fairlj frequent. One factor in the present position is probably the steady influx of -artisans and labourers from "the other side," attracted here by the forthcoming Exhibition. One union has, in a fortnight, had no less than 14 applications for work from men who have come from Australia. • '