STATE OF TRADE. LABOUR JOURNAL REPORTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 150, 22 December 1911, Page 4

STATE OF TRADE. LABOUR JOURNAL REPORTS.

The December issue of the Journal of the Department of Labour gives the following particulars of trade in Wellington: General: Very uncertain weather and tho near approach of the General Election materially affected business in the retail trades, and consequently the progressive trade expected by shopkeepers during JNovember was not realised up to the standard anticipated. The provision trades have been fairly busy ; beyond theso trade has been quiet, but at the time of writing it is fully expected there will be a rush of business to the end of the year, and prospects for the next month are certainly bright. Full work has offered in the building tradea. Mechanical engineering is reported quiot. but in all other manufacturing trades briskness is reported, and a general review shows that conditions all round for the month are better than obtained in tho corresponding period of last year. Building trades: All branches continue active, and, in many, inconvenience is caused by the scarcity of tradesmen. Bricklaying— Trade still good, but there is not so much work in sight now. Carpentry and- joinery good, and competent men are wanted. Painting continues at high pressure, particularly in the paperhanging branch; a considerable amount of renovating work is being done. 1 lasteriug very busy, and tho want of men is delaying contracts. Plumbing and gasfitting—All hands are kept, busy, and plenty of work still in" sight. Stonemasonry—All hands aro reported in tiui employment. . . Woodworking tfiades: €aWnetmalang and upholstering very busy; no men are idle; a demand exists for good chair bands. Boxmaking and coopering— There haß been a rush 1 " of work during tho whole month, and there is every prospect of continuing so for somo time. Sash and door factories— Full work has been maintained, and immediate proßpects continue bright. Wood-turning rather quiet. Sawmilling has shown' considerable improvement during the month. Engineering trades: Trade has been very spasmodic for a long-time, and during November business dropped considerably, there being a general dullness throughout tho district, and, unfortunately, there is nothing in view to warrant any immediato betterment. Boilermaking—Trade quietened since the previous month. Brass and copper-smithing fairly active; good coppersmiths could be plaoed . Fittinc and turning very quiet indeed. Iron and brass moulding— There was a slight improvement on last month, but trade is still below normal. Rangemakine 16 quiet. Electrioal engineering — This is a growing industry, and trade is likely to bo progressive for a long time.. A few good capable electricians Ehould experience tto difficulty in securing work. Leather trades: . The boot, trade has been brisk, in both, factories and repairshops. Saddlery and,' harnossmaking— There is no demand for hands, but trade has been good right through the month. Clothing trades : Dressmaking and millinery have been very brisk, overtime being worked in most factories to the fullest extent. Shirtmaking and underclothing—Sufficient work is in sight to keep factories busy. for a considerable time; tho shortage of hands is a sorious handicap to this industry. Clothing faotories— Work has continued at high pressure, and there is still a strong demand for workers. Order tailoring-^This-is tho busiest time of the year, and, as there is a shortage oi workers, considerable overtimo is being worked. Woollen-milling still very busy, and boys and girls are badly wanted. Printing trades: Bookbinding reported \-ovy brisk. Printing establishments navt been exceedingly "busy, the general elec lion giving abundant work. Meat-freezing, • eto. : Slaughtering ha! commenced, but owing to the wet.weathei keeping tho shearing back, stock, so far has been coming in very .slowly. Tan ning, currying, and fellmongeririg — Trade reported good, and likely to improve. Coachbuilding trades: November n usually a bus>y month, and trado in al bra nones has 'been very bruk; coach paintor3 -'are wanted. Cyole and motor trades: Tho season 1 now well in, and all shops aro very busy Unskilled labour: During the perioc the demand for unskilled labour has,beei good for both publio works and privati employment ; there has b<jen no difficulty in placing any man who was willing an< able to dp_hoavy work. A considorabli improvement has taken place in thi amount of work offering locally since las report, while tho demand for dairy-farn hands continues, and by far exceeds thi supply. Tho number of applicants fo employment during the month has beei small as compared for the same perio( last year, which goes to show that employ merit is more easy to obtain. During th period 143 men wero found employnion or otherwise assisted to work — 42 marriei and 101 single, with a total of 123 de pendents. Of tho number assisted, 98 wer sent to private employment, and 45 ti publio works, comprising bricklayers, cai penters, engineers, plumbers, tailors, am labourers.