BRIGHTER BUSINESS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 255, 25 July 1935, Page 8

BRIGHTER BUSINESS

Secondary Industries Also Busier MORE HANDS EMPLOYED DoiMinjon Special Service. Auckland, July 24. Tlie return of confidence which has been the subject: of cheerful reports from members of the retail trade in Auckland is reflected in most of the secondary Industries. According to manufacturers interviewed to-day more people aje employed in factories than was the case a year ago, and some workshops are working at high pressure in Auckland. The channels which have absorbed a considerable proportion of the additional factory employees a.re certain branches of engineering. stimulated by increased building activity, and the soft goods and footwear industries. In some other industries where individual manufacturers were not employing more hands than Lust year they were able to state that their factories nevertheless were definitely’ busier than a year ago. One manufacturer, whose business embraces that of tinsmith, coppersmith awd brass finisher, said he was employiife 25 per cent, more hands than this tima last year. It was becoming a problem to find space for his staff and he was forced to contemplate the building of an additional factory. "AVhielilwer way you turn you cannot find a tinsmith now,” he said, in referring |t<> the increased demand for labour. “It is also difficult to get a good ea,npenter.” The increased building activity had stimulated the demand for all building hardYvare, and beneficial effects were felt also from the Unemployment Board subsidy to dairyfarmers for the improvement of plant. This manufacturer summed up the position as rellected in his industry by saying: “Wheels tire turning round now which a year agjo were idle.” The position in the softgoods manufacturing industry was said to be definitely better. “On a conservative estimate we are employing 5 per cent, more hands than a year ago,” said one manufacturer. Boot ft«;tories throughout; the Dominion ware stated to be actively engaged. THe director of one large Auckland factory said his firm was employing front 3 to 10 per cent, more workers, male ani| female, titan was (lie case this time last year.