TRADE AND LABOUR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1209, 18 August 1911, Page 3

TRADE AND LABOUR.

THE DEPARTMENT'S REPORT. The following reports on Irade ami labour appear in tho Journal of tho Department of Labour published yesterday :— WELLINGTON. Notwithstanding the very inclement weather experienced at the end of the month, report? of trade condition? for July have been favourable, mid show a derided improvement over tho corresponding period of ln?t year. With clothiers ami drapers —although it is now between seasons— business has been well up to expectations, and improvement is not looked for until the end of next month. Boot shops have experienced a busy month. In the provision trades good average business is reported. The cost of stock ha? kept meat, dear, and high prices have been ruling for butter and egg?. Tho conditions of employment (luring the winter have fortunately been ?o favourable that (lie increased cost of provisions lias not been so keenly felt as it. would otherwise havn been. The building trades have quietened, but owing to the exodus of workers to other parts there have been few tradesmen unemployed. Bricklayers, plasterer?, and plumbers have had steady work; but with carpenters and painters employment has been somewhat iiilcrniittent. It is pleasing to note a marked improvement in the engineering trade.?, and reports slate that business for the mouth has been bettor than at any time.during the last two years. Factories generally have been busy", particularly in the boot, clothing, shirt, and woollen manufacturing workrooms. Til the engineering trades the improvement reported last month has continued, and the present conditions are. the brightest experienced for the last' two years. Woollen-milling is reported very busy. A considerable shortage of boys and girls is evident, and in many instances men are employed ill doing work usually given to bays. The demand for unskilled labour in tho oity shows a considerable improvement since last report. Busht'ellers were in great request, and tlicTe has also been a demand for fire-wood-cutters and pick-and-shovel men at good wages. The Department would htiv*> uo difficulty in placing twenty or thirly reliable men used to mis class of work on public and private works. Inquiries are now being made for dairy-farm hands for the coining season, and a few men, used to this class of work, have secured employment at gecd wages. During the period just ended work has lwen i'ound I'oj inn meii-21 married and 71 single— with 07 dependents; 75 were sent to private employment and 25 to Government works. PALMEBSTOX XCffiTH. Business generally has been satisfactory during the past, month. Storekeepers say that money has been fairly plentiful and trade generally gco:l for this lime of the year. Sales are now on. The weather has been very fair considering the s?asnn, and outside workers have had little to complain of. Bricklaying, carpentry, and joinery, painting, and plastering very satisfactory; during the month nine building permits, valued at have been issued by tlio Borough Council, and eight, valued at .4600, for additions to buildings already erected. WAXGAXUI. Business generally has been quite as good as the previous month, and compares more than favourably with that ot' the corresponding period of last year. Drapers and clothiers have boon holding sales during the month, .and report that good business lias beim done. Boot retailers also state that the sates have been quite up to expectations. ■ MASTERTON. Trade ' and business . continue to improve throughout-this district, and it seems safe lo predict that a busy. season is now approaching. In the various local industries, such as butter and cheesemaking, and meat freezing and preserv- : ing, etc.. considerable additions and improvements are being made to the factories, . in order, to cope with a greater supply than previously: (his proves conclusively that the district is producing more than could be profitably dealt with by the capacity of the present works, and there is good demand for the manufactured article. In the building trades an appreciative improvement is shown, and good tradesmen in several departments are in demand. • "Willi■ regard to unskilled labour there lias not ibeen mucli demand for workers. HASTINGS. The svnopsis of trade a.nd employment in the Napier report' applies equaiiy lo Hastings, with one 'or two exceptions. Thtriug the month building permits to the value of ,£IOOO were issued by the Borough Council. ; NAPIER. Business and employment.generally continue in a satisfactory state, and for this period of the year are better than was anticipated. The building trade continues in a healthy condition, carpenters readilv finding employment. Bricklayers are all employed. Painters have iiad a good month. Plasterers have had a slightly better month. Plumbers are kept fully employed, with every prospect of the activitv beijig continued. Stonemasons have not been in any demand. In the woodworking trades there is a slight'improvement, with the exception of the furnishing trade. Sawtuilling is expected to improve; there is a I new mill commencing operations, and the local authorities aro attending to ■ the question of bettering tho roads, so as to enable the timber to be carted in wet weather. CHRISTCHUUCH. The wet and frosty weather has continued throughout the month, and has considerably delayed building operations and outdoor work. Notwithstanding these conditions, a fair volume of work has been carried on in trades not affected by the weather. Tho building trade, which perhaps employs more workers than any other industry, is still fairly busy, especially so in some departments, such as tho carpentering. AUCKLAND. The conditions of trade and labour aro still very satisfactory in all branches. Factories in all lines are working full time, and ,: thcrois some overtime ""being made. DUNEDIN. T'hero is practically no change since last month, the conditions generally being very satisfactory for the season of the year, fn the building trade bricklaying, plumbing, and carpentry have been fairly busy, while panning, plastering, and stonemasonry have been slack. The engineering trade continues good; most of the foundries are busy, but one or two report I slackness.