LABOUR IN AUCKLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 135, 8 June 1914, Page 6

LABOUR IN AUCKLAND.

I CONDITION' OF TRADES. i DEPARTMENTAL REPORT. According to the May report of the Auckland Labour Department, trade conditions quietened down during the month. This was most noticeable in the building and allied trades, which, with .Jthe exception of bricklaying, were quiet. (Retail traders, for the most part, reported satisfactory sales for the first three weeks of the period, but afterwards trade wae inclined to be quiet. Unskilled workers had made fair time. Farm work was scarce. There was still 'a large number of men awaiting employjment, in spite of the fact that lGti were I assisted. Many of the men out of work I were, however, not inclined to leave the ■ town at this time of the year. Details lof the various grades are given, ac follows: — BUILDING TRADES. Bricklaying is fair, with prospects of further improvement, as several buildings for which contracts have been let, are expected to start shortly. j Carpentry and joinery show; no improvement. Several men are idle. Painting has improved, due no doubt to better weather conditions. There are still several hands awaiting employment. ! Plastering eased off during the period, several jobs having been completed. Plumbing and gasfitting have also slackened off. and at present are inclined to be on tlte quiet side. j Stoni'masonry still remains quiet.

WOODWORKING TRADES. Box-making is slack, with no sign of immediate improvement.

Cabinetmaking and upholstering picked up during .the month, and trade is now fairly good all round. Coopering is normal.

Sash ami door factories quietPned down, due probably to the. falling off in cottage building.

Sawmilling i* quiet. One mill has found it necessary to close down one department until trade revives. Wood-turning, etc., is quiet. MINING. Mining continues to be busy, and practical coal-miners are advertised for. ENGINEERING TRADES. Boilrrmaking.—There is no improvement to report, aad several men have tlieir names down on the employment list.

Brass an<l Coppersmithing is fair, there being sufficient work on hand to keep employees going. Electrical engineering, with some firms, slackened oIT a little, while others are bu>y.

Fitting and turning is dull, with no prospect of improvement in the near future.

Iron and Brass Moulding.—lron is quiet, and brass fair. Range, .making continues ahout the hands being , kept going, but no drariand for extra labour. LEATHER TRADES. Root making.—Factories fairly good. Some linns have found it necessary to work overtime. Bootmaking repair shops —fair average trade doing. SaddJerv and harness making is fair, taken all round ; collar makers are kept constantly going. CLOTHING TRADES. I>resss'making an«l Millinery.—Dressmaking has been fairly busy, necessitatis overtime being worked: while, millinery has quietened down very much. Sb'irtmaking is very busy, and there is a demand for machinists.

Tailoring.—Factories fairly good, and all -hand-s have been fully employed. Tailoring (Order) is good for this, season, several firms finding it necessary to work overtime. Woollen milling continues to be satisfactory, although overtime is unnecessary. PRINTING TRADE. Bookbinding has been: ,-ati-factoiy, and, as was the case last month, it was found necessary to work the hands overtime. Printing.—Although «ome firms have been busy, others arc quiet. A few hnnas are awaiting employment. MEAT J-RREZINt:. l'"Tl'. Tanning, currying and fclknongering are fairly good." and judging from the fact that' no name* arc on thy employment book it would appear that all hands are fully employed. fruit, preserving is normal, with just eufhcieiTt to keq> the hands going. coach Buixjjrso trades. Blacki-mithing. coae.h. carriage, and tram car building slowed down during :he period, an<l at the present time trade, generally spea.king. is quiet. Cycle and motor trades remain quiet, .md no improvement is anticipated for a few months. ■Agricultural operation?.. farming, dairying, etc.—There is very little demand for farm workers. A few good milkore are bamg inquired for. MISCELLANEOUS. Biscuit and confectionery -work-ens arc buey. and several fcmalee could be placed in employment. Sail a.nd have been brisk, and a got)d dee.l 'of overtime has been worked. WOMEN WORKERS. The wome.n's employment branch reports thai altogether '2-iti ■applications had been received and dealt with, ltiS from employers and SS from applicants for employment. Of these G.i engagements were made. Owing to the closing of the exhibition and tourist season a lot of housemaids and' waitressv* were thrown out of work, and the report advises that this e.!at-s of labour should not come to Auckland for some months.