THE LABOUR MARKET.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 39, 15 August 1910, Page 7

THE LABOUR MARKET.

STILL QUIET. According to the Labour Journal of the month business generally has quietened from that of the previous month. But it should be remembered, comments the journal, that July is usually the slackest month in many irdustries and callings, and comparison with the reports of last year shows that present conditions are, if anything, really brighter than what then obtained. Drapers and clothiers report trade quiet, and not much improvement is anticipated till spring goods aTe being shown. Boot-retailers say that returns for the mouth have come up to expectations, although several sales of outside stocks have tended to cut prices. In the provision trades enquiries have elicited a general slackness Butchers complain that prices for stock are unusually high, and that, although there has been an exodus of people from the city, too many shops still exist, creating a competition so keen that there is little or no margin for profit ; there are ten butchers on the employment-book of tho union. Grocers also complain of slackness of trade, and state that thereis very little call for articles outside of actual necessaries ; five assistants are idle. In regard to unskilled labour, during the period just ended local and country work has been more plentiful than for months past. There is still a fairly largo number of single men calling, who have no dependants, and who apparently will not leave the city. There has been a demand for ploughmen, bushfellers, coalminers, pick-and -shovel men, and tunnel-workers. With the dairying season starting next month, the unskill-ed-labour market looks brighter than has been the case during the past twelve months. In fact, apfiKcations have already been received for a considerable number of farm hands, and the demand has been met by the sending of emigrants from overseas. An application by Charles Nodine for postponement of civil proceedings in which he is concerned has been granted by the Chief Justice until after the criminal {Sittings, which commenced today.