LABOR CONDITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 15515, 10 June 1914, Page 8

LABOR CONDITIONS

NUMBER OF MEN IDLE.

PROSPECTS NOT TOO BRIGHT.

Industrial conditions in and about Dunedin are still far short of perfection as regards the demand for skilled and unskilled workers. The position is not generally regarded as being abnormally bad, but those who cannot obtain employment have a different view of things. General laborers appear to find the greatest difficulty in obtaining anything approaching steady work, and there is a marked dearth (even for winter) of big contracts. Provision is likely to be made for married men on public works, but it is hardly probable that all unemployed laborers will be accommodated.

Things are not quite so harassing to tradesmen, although the conditions are far from being brisk. Many painters are ont of work, and a number or other artisans. Prospects are said to be rather discouraging for carpenters and joiners and allied workers. It is hoped that all public bodies, companies, and business firms who have works in contemplation will have them put in hand as soon as possible.

Men who have studied the industrial market appear inclined to believe that the existing rates for labor have made many people rather timid in enterprise. Others again hold that if good workers are employed the cost of labor is not excessive. But these are questions for argument and quiet contemplation. There appears to be no immediate prospect of a reduction in the cost of borrowed money—another matter for thinkers.

AN OFFICIAL REPORT. The local Department of Labor reports on the conditions of last month as follows: —General.— The period just ended has proved very quiet. From reports received it appears, however, that there is a slight improvement apparent in several industries. The number of building permits show that a fair amount of jobbing work (alterations to shops, dwellings, etc.) is being done. Several cottages are to be erected, but only a few larger contracts are in hand, and it is doubtful if these works will absorb all the tradesmen at present unemployed. The various other trades dependent upon building operations are quiet in consequence. The greatest problem is that with regard to unskilled labor. A considerable number of men are reported to be out of work, but provision is likely to be made shortly for the employment of those fitted for heavy manual labor on t,.e public works. —Building Trades.—

Bricklaying.—Not much work offering, hut as several hands .are engaged in country work, local men have been fully emoloved.

Carpentery and Joinery.—A slight improvement has been noticed, but most of he work in hand is jobbing work of a emporary nature. Several unionists are till idle, and the prospects for tho ensuing nonth are not encouraging. Painting.—Employment has been very ntermittent, and consequently a lot of proken time has been experienced bv workers. Plastering.—All tradesmen have been fully employed, but the new Technical College will be completed shortly, and 14 or 15 hands will he out of work. Plumbing and Oasfitting.—Xo improvement in this trade, out employers are still able to keep the usual hands in employment. b tone masonry is quiet, and there are a few workers idle, but one or two jobs are coming on, which will just about provide employment for all usual hands during the coming month. —Woodworking Trades.— Boxmaking.—There Ls very little fluctuation to record, as in the quiet season a large amount of stock is marie up. Cabinetmaking and Upholstering,—Quiet in all branches. Considerable stock is being made up. Three or four hands are idle. Coopering.—Steady. Sash and Door Factories and Saw-mill-ing.—Quiet. Hands have been shortened in several mills, and the future prospects are not good. Wood-turning, etc.—Slack. There are very few men engaged in this industry, and several good tradesmen have been compelled to seek other employment. —Engineering Trades.— Agricultural Implement Making.—A very slight improvement has been observed, but trade is far below the usual volume. Boiler-making has been fairly busy, and as far as can be ascertained more compe tent tradesmen are in employment, but very little work of a permanent nature is in hand. Brass and copper smithing is considerably quieter than last mouth, and in several chops next month’s work has had to be encroached on to provide staffs with employment. Electrical Engineering.—Steady. Fitting and Turning.—A fair amount of work is in progress, and all tradesmen are in employment. Iron and brass moulding has displayed a slight upward tendency, but although time ia not so broken as formerly, there have been no fresh hands taken on, and there are still a few men idle. Range-making.—On the slack side, and unless an improvement occurs shortly one or two firms will bo compelled to reduce hands. —Leather Trades.— Bootmaking (factories). —Trade has continued good, and there is a demand for tradesmen. Bootmaking (repair shops) continues fairly busy. Saddlery and Harness-making.—Con-tinued improvement maintained, factories generally fairly busy throughout. —Clothing Trades.— Dressmaking and Millinery.—Much quieter during the month. Several firms reported difficulty in keeping workers employed. Shirtmaking.—Reported quiet. Verv little overtime work, and there is no demand for operatives. Tailoring (factories).—Trade lias been very quiet. Little or no demand for fresh workers. Tailoring (order).—A fairly good month has been experienced with the majority of employers, and most shops are fully staffed and full time is being worked. Woollen-milling.—Very busy. Move female workers could be placed if available. —Retail Trades.— Clothing and Drapery.—A considerable improvement since last month, and quite equal to the corresponding period of last year. Boots.—Retail boot trade is now fairly busv, and as the winter season is at ha d tradesmen expect present conditions to be sustained. Groceries.—A considerable improvement on last month, but not equal to the same month last year.

—Printing Trades.— Bookbinding.—Fair throughout. The majority of tradesmen are steadily employed. Printing.—Considerably improved daring the latter part of the month, particularly : job printing. j —Meat Freezing, Etc.— Tanning, Currying, and Fellmongering. > —Fairly busy. All hands on full time. I Slaughtering, Freezing, and Preserving.' —ln consequence ol the better snpplv of lambs this industry is now at its normal for this time of year, and a busy season , is expected. j —Goachbuilding Trades.— j A slack month has been experienced. ■ Employment .has not been steady, and the secretary of the union rer-crt- * * least ; four unionists are out of employment. j —'Cycle and Motor Trades.—. | A slack month has been experienced, and it is not anticipated that conditions will be better till the spring time. j —Agricultural Operations.— I Farming, Dairying, etc. —Very little farm work has been offering to any class of labor. Agricultural operations generally are reported as being quiet. Dairying has slackened off considerably. |

—Miscellaneous.— Biscuit and confectionery manufacturing is recoiled as having had a very good month, and a fair amount of. overtime ■worked. i

Aerated water and cordial manufacturing much quieter. Hat an'd cap making continues quiet. —Unskilled Labor.—

The past month has proved one of the quietest. It is understood that there is a fair amount of work under consideration by public bodies and building contractors, and if this could be hastened it would greatly assist numbers of workers, who find it difficult to obtain anything like regular employment during the worst season of the year. During the period just ended 84 men applied for work. Of these 62 were assisted to employment—42 single, and' 10 married men with 43 dependents. Twentyeight were sent to Government works and 24 to private employment.