THE LABOR MARKET.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 62, 14 March 1911, Page 2

THE LABOR MARKET.

Reporting oil the state of the labor market the current issue of the Labor Journal states, in regard to Wellington Conditions:—"There is but slight change in trade and labor conditions from those of last month. Retailers generally state that their business is better than at this time last year. Many employers in the clothing trades are still complaining of shortage of female labor. One shirt and underclothing factory alone lias vacancies for twenty women. The bespoke tailoring trade is brisk, and good hands are ;in demand. The readymade clothing factories are busy making up winter suits and overcoats. The woollen mills are still in need of moi"e hands. Cardboard-box making bands aro required, and the printing trade is busier than usual. Meatfreezing and its allied industries—fellmongering, tanning, etc. —are all in full swing, and the recent much-re-quired rains will bring stock along more rapidly. There are a few buildin gtradesmen temporarily idle in the j city, but men aro being asked for in ithe country. Painters are particularly I busy, whilst plumbing .and gas-fitting J just employs all „ available ban.ls." Regarding- unskilled labor, the report states:—"Work has been fairly plentiful both in the city and country districts. There has been a good demand for firewood-cutters, scrub-cut-ters, and rabbit-poisoners. Most of the work offered, in the city has be,en casual, lasting only for a few weeks at most. The number of. applications, for farm hands generally has greatly fallen off, and it is evident that the season is now drawing to a close.. The Department can, however, place a. few capable men on farms. The applications for employment have slightly increased, owing to the return of a number of men from the South. Island, where harvesting; and grass-seeding work ara finished.; Most of the applicants are single Men without any dependants, and they have invariably been advised to shift out of town to districts where work is offering; 224 men, with 150 dependants, were sent to work or otherwise assisted' therto, 47 being sent to Government works, and 177 to private employment. Of this number, 50 men. were married! and 174 were single. Those assisted comprised cabinetmakers, carpenters, farm bands, laborers, and plasterers."