THE LABOUR MARKET. STATE OF TRADE IN WELLINGTON

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 142, 18 December 1905, Page 3

THE LABOUR MARKET. STATE OF TRADE IN WELLINGTON

The following notes upon the condition of the skilled trades and the labour market in Wellington during last month are taken from the December issue of the Labour Journal : — The general condition of all trades is exceedingly good, and wholesale and retail trades show an improvement on the previous year. This is no doubt owing to the prosperous condition of trade in general and the large amount of work at present in hand. It is also noticeable that there are now very few empty shops in the city and suburbs, notwithstanding the exceedingly high rents demanded for such premises. Tho building trade is exceptionally busy, and a number of large jobs are in hand. The differences that existed a month ago between the builders and ar-, chitects have been satisfactorily arranged,, which will no doubt give a further impetus to building operations. The buildings that are now in course of erection will add greatly to the general appearance of the city, for the structures are both substantial and ornamental. Carpenters are making good time (weather permitting). In the suburbs substantial wooden buildings are being erected in large numbers. Bricklayers and plasterers are kept very busy, and all are fully employed, and good tradesmen have no difficulty in finding employment. Plumbers are working steadily— all hands fully employed. A limited number of stonemasons are making good .time, but contractors have their full complement. Painters, owing to the wet weather, have not been making fuD time, although a steady business is being done in most shops. The engineering trade has improved this month, and the outlook is said to be much brighter. Boilermakers are steady, but not brisk. Range-making is still keeping very brisk for this time of the year. Motor and cycle factories are busy, and a good season is expected. Boot trade : Factories are now, working overtime, and all branches of the trade are busy; in some factories they complain that they are unable to get suitable hands, and it is difficult to supply the present demand. This rush of orders may only last a short time. The "bespoke" order trade is also keeping Very steady — business good. Tailoring business is brisk, and a considerable amount of overtime is being worked. Coat hands are in demand, but hard to get. Manufacturers admit that prices are cut owing to the large amount of imported made-up goods, but it is said that they are inferior to the colonial goods. Coachbuilding is still keeping busy in most branches of the trade, and countrj *?ders are coming in freely ; but tho hands employed are able to supply the present demand. Harness-making : All regular hands are fully employed. Woollen milk still keep busy. "There is a demand for female workers in all the different branches of the trade. Tho shortage of hands tends to hamper the supply of urgent orders. Dressmaking and millinery are exceptionally busy; dressmakers are in demand, but difficult to obtain. In some of the rooms they are refusing to tako orders to be executed this side of Christmas, as it is. found that there are more than sufficient orders on hand to keep them fully employed till the end of December. A large amount of overtime is being worked. Furniture trade is exceptionally busy ; all hands are fully employed. Good tradesmen are in demand but hard to get. Upholstering is more than 'usually busy. Portmanteau and bag-making is exceptionally busy, and manufacturers ' are satisfied with xhe business doing, and say it is far ahead of the previous year. Retail trades : Most of the traders in the different lines express satisfaction at the business doing, and say money is more plentiful during the last month and easier to get in than has been the cose for many months previous. This also applies to suburban shopkeepers. Unskilled labour: Quite a number of new arrivals landed in the colony during the last month. Farm hands, milkers, gardeners, general labourers, carpenters, cabinetmakers, and other tradesmen were all placed in employment. Engineers were not quite so successful in obtaining immediate employment, but it is believed they also have secured work, although not at their own calling. Bushmen and good pick and shovel men have been in demand, and first-class men have not been plentiful. Milkers are an unknown quantity— as high as £1 5s and £1 7s 6d per week and found being offered. The extension of suburban tramlines has required a large number of unskilled labourers, this, to a certain extent, may account for the shortage in the number of men offering. Employment has Taeen found during the month for 146 men in the Government and private employ.