THE LABOR MARKET.

Evening Star, Issue 12866, 16 July 1906, Page 2

THE LABOR MARKET.

STATE OF TRADE IN DUNEDIN. The following notes npon the condition of trades and occupations in Dunedin during last month are taken from the current issue of the ‘ Labor .Journal ’;— Any change that has taken place in respect to trade or business as compared with last month’s report has been in the direction of improvement. Artisans have met with very fair time, and good wages have been earned during the past few weeks. Unskilled workers are in excess of the demand for local requirements, and it is just possible that this condition of affairs will continue for some time, as many amongst this class are unable and others are very unwilling to look very far afield for an opening for their energies. It is noticeable that improvement has taken place in a number of industries as compared with last month, particularly so in respect to carpenters, joiners, bricklayers, plumbers, and plasterers. In these branches there are no idle tradesmen, and on more than one occasion the urgency of obtaining hands has been made prominent through advertisements appe;iring in the daily newspapers. In any of these lines there exists good openings for suitable men, with a prospect of steady work for some considerable time to come. Painters have made fair time, and there does not appear to be many unemployed. Furniture and cabinetmakers continue to make progress, and there is an evident lack of competent hands in some branches. Boot manufacturers report fair business, almost all operatives being employed. It is, nevertheless, stated on good authority that the turnover for the season so far is not so largo as that of last year. Clothing factories arc working at full pressure on good solid orders, overtime being in requisition, and likely to continue for some time, as suitable hands are not available. Shirt and cap makers arc very busy, and overtime is being worked in many factories to overtake orders. Engineering trades report only fair time. Many good men are idle, while a majority are only employed casually. These remarks apply to fitters, turners, and smiths. Moulders are making better wages, especially in the lighter branches of work. Dressmaking and milliners show seasonable improvement, though there is still a number of experienced hands who have a difficulty in getting steady work. Felt-fiat makers are busy, and local operatives are making full time. The effect of the imported finished products is keenly felt in this trade. Brickmakers arc busy, all hands going full time, and expert workers are difficult to obtain. Saddle, harness, and leather making: Busy all round, and overtime being worked in some factories. Coachbuilding is quite up to the season’s average, and employees are making fair wages. Tinsmiths report trade quiet and a. few operatives unemployed. Saw-milling_and factory joiners: Indications of an improvement on last month and of business extensions being made during the next few iveeks. Agricultural implement making continues busy, and in the engineering branch an increase of hands is reported. Shop tailoring: Slightly better season than last year, and so far as can be ascertained no employees are idle. Fellmongers and tanners; There is no freat rush of orders on hand or expected; owovar, business is fair, and hands are kept going. Cycle and light engineering: A slight but seasonable falling-off in trade has been experienced during the month. A few weeks hence, however, will see things return to their normal level. Bookbinding and stationery makers: , Good business still being done/ and a considerable amount of overtime is being worked to complete orders in hand. Retail trades: Grocers, butchers, drapers, etc., report a very fair turnover during the month—an improvement on the previous period, but no better than it was last year. Ready cash, however, has been more plentiful, and business is easier transacted. Unskilled workers; The number of applicants during the month was 149, as against IS4 during the same period of last year. A number of these men were recently employed on the Otago Central Railway works, while others are strangers to the district, For the most part they are single men, who, if they would only adopt the same pertinacity in seeking employment in the country districts as they do to try and obtain a living in the town,would be sure to obtain employment. Employment in the City to suit this particular class ralmost impossible to obtain, and, with the worst of the winter months yet to conic it is certainly reasonable to expect that men of this stamp, having no person dependent upon them, therefore no domestic responsibilities, should do what lies in their power to assist the local workers who have wives and families to support; and this they can do, as in the country distorts of this province work is plentiful During the month seventy-four persons wore assisted to employment.