THE LABOR MARKET.

Evening Star, Issue 14038, 20 April 1909, Page 6

THE LABOR MARKET.

The following is taken from the April number of the Journal of the Department of Labor; Dunedin.—The fine weather which has prevailed in the district is no doubt accountable for the maintenance of the conditions reported last month.' The shops are now between seasons, and this fact, combined with the tightness of the money market, gives rise to au all-rouud expression that trade is dull. The appearance of the town would tend to belie this, but inquiries show that refreshment looms, fancy goods, and jewellers, with other shops which rely in a measure on a catchcash trade, are not benefiting to the extent expected hour the large number of persons about town. The usual briskness at this season in the coachbuilding, saddlery, and raimemaking trades is fortunately to be recorded. The building trades are'still slack. So also are the timber and furniture trades. On;ing to the splendid weather no difficulty has been experienced in placing all capable bands at unskilled work.— Building trades: Carpentry is quiet, and likely to become quieter. " Trade is not expected to improve for at least six or seven weeks. A number of tenders are advertised, so that the present depression is only temporary. There are at present ten names on the union’s employment book. Bricklayers are also having a quiet time, and until new contracts are out this state of trade must continue. It will, however, take some time to absorb all surplus labor here, it being reported that full twenty tradesmen are at present idle. Plastering was good m the early part of the month” but has slackened off considerably. Painters ; In this trade there has been quite revival. It is thought to be only spasmodic. chiefly occasioned by the* hotels being renovated in view of the reduction vote carried, and the consequent closing of ten licensed houses. Plumbing is fairly steady. All good tradesmen are in employment. Stonemasonry: There is absolutely no demand for stonemasons here.— Woodworking trades: Furniture trades— There has been an improvement, but trade is not nearly so good as is usually expected just before Easter. There are several cabinetmakers out of employment. Sash and door factories and saw-mills are still fairly busy, but there is a falling-off compared with last month. The various mills anticipate that this condition will be steady for some time. Wood-turning—With the furniture and building trades being quiet there is a corresponding depression "in this trade.—Engineering trades ; Agricultural implement 'making— The healthy state of business reported last month' has been more than maintained, and there is every indication of satisfactory trade for th*e ensuing month. Boilermaking is inclined to he dull, but all hands have been kept going. Ihe outlook for the incoming month is, however, not encouraging. Brass and copper-smithing is quiet. There are several applicants for employment. Electrical engineering—There is’no alteration since test report, and no immediate prospect of improvement. Fitting and turning have been fair during the month, hut this is only as compared with the two previous months, ami the state of trade from a standard point is not at all satisfactory. Iron and braes moulding—lt was expected that an improvement would be manifested. This, unfortunately, did not obtain to any appreciable, extent, and several tradesmen are idle. Rangemaking—This has been a fairly busy month, and the foundries have been working full tune. There are no vacancies in this line at present. Tin. smithing—Trade has been very quiet, but is now improving. There are no men needed, as some factories are still working short time —Leather trades : Bootmakimr (factories) —A slight tendency towards improvement is noticeable, though with bench hands trade is not brisk. The usual complaint is made re the dearth of machinists. Bootmaking (shops; is improving, and this betterment is sure to increase as winter sets im Saddlery and harness making— Trade is very good, and vacancies have occurred ter competent men.—Clothing trades; Dressmaking and millinery are now' getting quieter, but the winter’trade will soon Diing them to a busy stage. Shirtmaking is still busy. Tailoring (fac-tories)—-There has been" a falling-off from the brisk state of trade reported last month, hut all hands are still fully employed. Occupiers appear to anticipate a slowing down. Tailoring (shops)— There has been an improvement, but conditions are not up to the standard of previous years.—Printing trade: (Bookbinding— Same as last month. In this and the printing branch early improvement is expected. Several hands are still out of work.—Meat freezing, etc. ; Tanning and fellmongery still doing steady business. Slaughtering, freezing, and preserving:— The tendency to improve is still marked, and freezing-works are now in full swing. —Coachbuilding trades have been very much busier this month than at any other time during the present year.—Cycle and motor trad<2s : Factories are still busy, and shop trade is fair. The end of the "season is, however, in sight, and consequently a falling-off must ensue.—Agricultural operations : Farming and dairying—There is nothing special to remark. Few inquiries have been made for hands, and There have been practically no applicants for work of this class. The harvesting is almost ended, and those workers who have left that work do not, as .a rule, seek for further farm work. Applicants here have gone to ordinary navyying.-—Unskilled labor: Favorable conditions obtained during the month, and the department has fortunately been enabled to secure work for all able-bodied, capable men. So long as the weather permits of the continuance of outside work this desirable state of affairs is not likely to be disturbed. During the month the total number of applicants at this office was 256, of whom 123 were sent to private employment and 58 to Government works.