TRADE AND LABOUR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3081, 11 May 1917, Page 6

TRADE AND LABOUR

THE MONTH IN WELLINGTON

DEPARTMENT'S REPORT ,

The monthly journal of the Labour Department contains the following summary of trade and labour conditions in Wellington :—

Trade and labour conditions have altered very slightly since last month. The weather has continued to be favourable for all out-door operations. Hetail trades have been keeping up well, although certain lines have decreased, and it is noticeable that certain small shops have closed down. Building trades are still keeping busy, although great difficulty in obtaining materials and suitable labour is being experienced. A good many large buildings are in course of erection. Engineering trades are still very, busy, and here, again, the shortage of materials und mechanics is very Keenly felt. lAiraiture-making is keeping up well.

Building Trades.—Bricklaying fairly busy; no men reported idle. Carpen'try and joinery busy. Painting very busy. Plumbing and gasfittiug still busy.

Woodworking Trades-.—Cabinetmak-ing and upholstering fairly busy, and several good tradesmen could be placed. Retail furniture trades are doing very well, although prices are far above the normal. Coopering busy. Sash and door factories —All hands fully employed. Boxmaking busy.

[ Engineering Trades.—Agriculturalimplement making, boiler-making, brass and coppei-sniithing, electrical engineering, fitting and turning, and iron and brass moulding busy. Leather Trades.—Bontmaking (faci tories) still very buBV. Bootmaking (repairs) keeping very busy. Saddlery and harnessmaking keeping up well; shortage of supplies and gooa workmen is keeping trade back. Clothing Trades.—Dressmaking and millinery have improved, and are busy for the Easter holidays. Shirtmaking very busy. • Tailoring (factories and order) both very busy. Woollen mills are working to their utmost capacity with the employees that they have. Retail Trades.—Clothing, drapery, boots, and grocery all doing good business; several small traders are feeling the high prices.

Meat-freezing Trades.—A : ery busy; additional hands would he very welcome. Fellmongery and tannery busy. Coachbuilding Trades.—Keeping up in all brandies, particularly, in motorrepair work.'•

Cycle and Motor Trades. —Very busy, both in repairs and retail trades.

Miscellaneous.-rJewellcry trade keeping busy. Hat and cap-making keeping busy.

Unskilled Labour.—During the period I thirty-six married men and sixty-seven ■ singlo men were assisted; they have i ninety-four dependants. Sixty-four ! were sent to private employment and I thirty-nine to liovernment works. Sixteen came from the North Island, eighteen from the South Island, six from the Commonwealth, 'fifty-nine from Great : Britain, and four from other countries. Those assisted comprised carpenters, engineer, plasterer, farm hands, hotel workers, and general labourers. In addition a wife was assisted to join her husband. We can at present place good general labourers. Threo farm hands are at present awaiting employment, but we anticipate being able t.o place them without any difficulty.