THE INDUSTRIAL YEAR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9588, 4 September 1913, Page 5

THE INDUSTRIAL YEAR.

WORK AND WORKERS

LABOUR DEPARTMENTS REPORT.

(Bv Thlegriph.) (FBOV ODB PIIUUII\-TUT Rcobteb ) WELLINGTON, Sept 2. The Secretary of labour (Mr J. Loiaa») in the Labour Report presented to day stales that the year just closed was a normal one from an industrial point of view. The first three months of tno departmental year, April May and June. 1912. gav« promise of great activity in most manufacturing concerns, but after the end of Juao a filling-off wai experienced in some trades, and although there was no undue slackness of work*, the call for more adult male workers was not insistent. The building trades were fairly busy right through the voar and competent hands had no time whatever on account of slackness. In fniw branches of the tradu tliero was an unsatisfied demand for men. especially for plasterers, bricklayers and Iplumljei* had a very fair run of work. The furniture trade workers were also fully emp!oy<<d. Towards the latter end of the year (February and March) there were signs of slackness in the furniture trad# , (♦■specially in Auckland! and a few men were reix>rt«l out of work. The engineering trade had a steady run for about ten months, but in the last two months spate liands were discharged, generally unskilled workers, owing to slackness of trade.

| UNSKILLED WORKERS. A* (o unskilled workers generally the position was at, no time acute, although during last winter the number of such applicants in the cities exceeded the demand for their services. The employment of unskilled workers is generally very intermittent during the winter faeason. especially for those who cannot or will not leave tho towns. A very large number of men willing to take up country work was assisted by the Department and this materially reduced the hardship on those remaining behind.

The total number of men assisted by the | Department during the year showed an increase over 1911-12. In that year 5735 were assistt-d or sent to emplovment. as ajrair.st 5848 in 191213 (increase *113). Of tho number assisted in 1912-13 1639 were married and 4209 wore single men and widowers. Of tho total 3705' were sent to or (?iven assistance to private employment and 2143 were sent fo Government works.

FARM WORKERS. During thfl early spring and summer a steady demand set in for farm workers. The demand continued right up to the end of tho year under review. The number of hands required was not available and tho Department found the utmost difficulty in getting labour for farmers, especially for the dairy farmers in the Taranaki district. A distinct shortage of men was ex!>erieneed also in the cheese factories, and the vacancies took some time to fill. A total of 719 farm hands was assisted to employment by tho Department. The great, majority of these hailed from overseas and beyond having a physical cajwcity and de sire for such work were not specially experienced or trained in farm work. ' Farmers find rfie immigrants as a general rnlo to be adaptable and capable and those pofisesmng a real desire to learn the work turn wit very satisfactory workmen. RECORD REFUNDS.

There is one feature in regard to the assistance afforded t,o men by the Department which is deserving of special mention, says the report. The sunt of £2IOO was voted by Parliament last year for the purpose of assisting men by means of advancing their fares to both Government 'l™ I' rivate employment. Of this vote i-1921 was expended and £1842 has been from the men. repn-sentinij 96 per cent of the amount advanced. In the previous year the percentage was 94 5 The result for 1912 13 constitutes a record, 4 1 l aIM doubtful, says the secretary, whether any other labour Department can •how auch a result."