THE LABOUR MARKET.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9988, 18 March 1898, Page 3

THE LABOUR MARKET.

The Labour Journal for Maroh givea the following report of the labour market in thia district :—

Christchurch—Building trades —Very busy indeed this month. Engineering, iron, &o. —No material change from last month. Boot trade—Rather better than last month; uioro regular time has been made. Only ten or twelve bootmakers out of work, and thedd are m-iucipilly fiuishcii-g. Clothing trade—Fairly good time has been made for this season of the year. Retail trade (general)— Very good "business has been donoin nearly all branches. Some firms aay it is the best month they have had for a long time past. Unskilled labour—There are still about a dozen applicants for employment. Some of these are those who have just returned from co-operative works in the North Island. A number of men have been sent to co-operative and private works during the month. Rangiora—Building trades—Fairly good, but none too busy, Engineering, iron, &c.—Very busy, this being the best season of the year. Boot trade—Very dull, little or nothing doing. Clothing trade—Fairly good for this time of year, which is conerally quiet for the trade. Unskilled labour —Sluch better than last month, owing to all the threshing machines being in full swing. Nearly all the local men are regularly employed at present. Ashburton—Building trades—Very busy ; a number of buildings in course of erection. Bricklayers, carpenters, painters and paperhangers are fully emploj'od. Engineering, iron, &c— Rather dull. Boot and clothing trades—Fairly busy. Retail trade (general) —Fairly good. Unskilled labour—No applications for employment during the month. The harvest and threshing season is nearly over, which will no doubt throw a number of men out of employment.