LABOR MARKET

Marlborough Express, Volume L, Issue 153, 30 June 1916, Page 2

LABOR MARKET

r-BPARTMENT'-S REPBHT ON UNEMPLQ YME $T.

FEMALES IN PLAGE OF1 MEN

In spite of ;lie iar 1.6 difficulty, generally'speaking, was experienced in coping with any unemployment tha* arose. This is, 5n effect, a reassuring statement made in the annual report'of tho Department ot Labor (covering-the twelve months'up to 31st March, 1916), presented to the House of Representatives ou Tuesday evening by ilie Right Hon. Mr Mas?ey, the Minister in charge of the Department. Indeed, it can be claimed, says the report, that- in point of tho number of applicants the year was a record one, there being fewer applicants for work than during any other period of the Department's history. In many cases weeks elapsed in some of tho larger .secondary towns without a bona fide application being recorded. A. high percentage of applicants wao assisted, the' bureaux being able in most cases io offer employment —both Government and private —to all classes of workmen. Tradesmen have had an exceptional year, employment being regular owing to record veather conditions and to the great demand for various classes of the Dominion's goods, uotwiihstandS iug the fact that in many cases work : was retarded by tho -.-.hortage of imported materials. Much overtime has also been worked, supplementing the ordinary earnings. On ilie Wellington wharves there has at times been an insufficient supply of labor; this fact no doubt accoimts for the few minor industrial disturbances that are referred, to in tho report. In the engineering trades a shortage of litters and turners has been felt. Thcro has been considerable activity in the freezing industry, and several new works, besides * additions to others, have been oreor-ed in various

parts of the Dominion. The retail traders are reported to have had a good year, particularly fnncy-goods dealers, jeuelWs, and tobacconists, whose increased business is, no doubt, due to the purchases ;:iade by or for departing members of the Expeditionary Forces. An unusual feature has ticen the extensive employment of i^irls in the place of men in various avocations, notably ;'n banks