LABOUR REPORT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2792, 9 June 1916, Page 7

LABOUR REPORT

CITY CONDITIONS

Tho State Labour Department has issued tile. following report on. the May labour conditions in Wellington City:—

"Conditions of trade and labour liave not altered materially sinco tli© last report. During tho latter part of the period outdoor worlc has been somewhat irregular owing to tho climatic conditions. Good wages aro being earned in ia«st trades, and the amount of overtime worked during the month is considerably, above tho average. . "The building trades are still active, but witli'the greatly-increasing cost of materials there is a probability that' theso trades will have a quieter timo in the near future. Several jobs which wcro contemplated liavo been withheld until after the war is over, or,until tho prices of materials come down.

"Engineering trades are particularly l.usy, and several fitters, turners, ,or l>oilermakers could bo placed. The textile industries aro still working at high pressure, particularly does this apply to clothing, dressmaking, and hat and cap-mak-ing. factories. "Retailors report good business done, and consequent upon colder -weather good sales _ havo been transacted in winter olothing. Retailers in small lines, such as fancy goods, tobacconists, anil confectioners have had an exceptionally good turnover.

"Building Trades. —Bricklaying busy, several*,large jobs have been completed during tho period, but thero is 'still sufficient work-on hand to absorb..all trades men offering. Carpentry and Joinery: Work is still plentiful, and few, if any, carpenters are out of employment.'Painting fairly busy; outdoor work has been retarded, owing to . the .wot weather. Plastering: There is a demand for plasterers at the present time. Plumbing and gasiitting: ±\ T o men idle. Stonemason ry, fair. . - "Woodworking Trades—Boxmaking fairly busy; all hands are working full time Oabinetmakiug and upholstering: BuSy. there aro .vacancies lor several skilled tradesmen. Coopering: Busy. Sasli and door factories: Pair; trade has slackened oil' a little.

"Engineering Trades.—Agricultural im. plement. making: Pair; work is chiefly i/mfined to' repairs, Boilermaking: Verybusy; good, boiiermakers could be. readily placed, if available. Brass anil coppersmithing: Busy. Dioptrical, engineering: Pair. Pitting and turning: Busy; both litters and turners arc wanted. Iron and brass-moulding: Busy; a shortago of hands i# reported. "Leather Trades.—Bootmaking (factories): Busy; there is. a shortage of both initio and female labour. Bootmaking (repairs): Busy. Saddlery and. harness-mate ing: Very busy, and a considerable amount ol overtim& . has been worked during the month.

''Clothing Trades.—Dressmaking and uilllineryi Fair; fcrado has declined dur. ing tho month, and most workrooms are working with a minimum staff. Shirtmaking: Very ljusy; female labour is wanted. Tailoring (factories): Very busyj ■all factories have plenty of work on hand. Tailoring 'rodu.r). yuiet; this month is usually regarded as jk slack one, and orders have been , scarce. AVoollen mills t The local mills aro now working .fully stalled, and have as much work on hand as axe ablo to cope with. "Retail Trades.—Clothing: Sales have benn good, particularly in regard to warmer clothing. Boots: Good business has been transacted. Drapery:-Business haa been quite up to tho standard. Groceries: There has been a slight declino in .'sales; this applios particularly to goods which havo advanced in prices. "Printing Trades.—i'air; no men out of employment. ".Ueat-lreczing Trades—Tanning, currying, and fellmongery: Pair; work has fallen away during the month. Slaughtering and preserving is now quiet, and the locul works are at present employing only minimum staffs.

"Coachbuilding Trades.—Blncksmithing: Busy. Coach, carriage, and tramcar building: Busy; in. tho latter branch of trade work is retarded owing to tho inability to. obtain materials for construction of "Cycle and Motor Trades.—Busy; sales havo been good, and thero is plenty of work for skilled mechanics.

"Miscellaneous.—Jewellery: Tho local factories aro working at high pressure to cope with the demand for badges for tho Expeditionary Porces, and thero is an unsatisfied demand for working jewellers. Hat and cap-making is very busy. A' considerable amount of overtime has been worked during tho month. "Unskilled Labour.—During 'the month 102 men registered their names for em. ployment, of whom 103 were assisted, leaving a surplus of 59, for whom work is still required. Comparing with previous periods the number of applicants shows a considerable falling off, and in like manner employers havo not been applying for labour as formerly. A noticeable feature is the number of wharf labourers seeking employmont. This, no doubt, is accounted for owing to the dearth of shipping at present. The Department has been instrumental in placing enlisted men, whilst waiting to be called up. Several discharged soldiers have also been assisted. Of tho 103 men for whom workwan found, 43 were married" men and GO singlo men, with 126 dependants. Those placed comprised a boilermaker, carpenters. electricians, a painter, farm-hands, hotel workers, and general labourers, etc. : 71 were sent to private employment anil 32 to Government works; 20 hailed from tho North Island, 25 from the South Island, 8 from the Commonwealth, 37 from Great Britain, and 3 from other places. In addition, (i wives and 10 children wcro assisted to join their relatives."