MOVEMENT IN THE TRADES

North Canterbury Gazette, Volume 7, Issue 59, 26 November 1937, Page 4

MOVEMENT IN THE TRADES

A Statistical Barometer

WATCHING INDUSTRY RISE

AND WANE

A return prepared by the statistical branch of the State Placement Service provides an interesting record of movement in many of the principal trades and industries. It is in fact an occupational barometer that registers most accurately the effect of seasonal activity or slackness in the trades designated. Further interest is added by the fact that the enrolment and placement of casual workers and of those enrolled as labourers are omitted, the return being restricted principally to skilled trades and a number of selected occupations. Particulars are given of new enrolments, as distinct from re-enrolments of men whose names had previously been on the Service cards but had been placed in temporary employment, and these figures show that during the week ended November 6 there were 114 of the former, and that 108 men had re-enrolled. Although this total of 222 men enrolled with the Placement Service during the week, 59 temporary and 43 permanent positions were found for enrolees.

A feature of this new survey of the unemployment position is the disclosure of constantly weekly variation in many of the principal occupations. For instance, five bricklayers re-enrolled during the week ended October 30, but three were engaged, while in the following week 12 re-enrolled and work was available for only one man; apparently this indicates a temporary lull in a branch of the building trade. The figures relating to carpenters indicate increased activity in this section of the industry in that only six men enrolled during the last week in October, whereas 14 were placed, while for the following week there were 14 enrolments and 20 placements. This shows that some works were completed, and new buildings commenced. Significant figures in the boot-mak-ing industry were those of five factory workers who re-enrolled in the week to October 30 and were not placed, and of 10 re-enrolments a week later who also were not re-engaged. Five clerks enrolled for the first time as at. October, and three positions were filled. During the following week, work was found for nine clerks, while there were 10 enrolments, seven being new men. The commencing of the end-of-year trade is having its effect on those establishments that cater for the food requirements of the public, and the figures show that there were five new enrolments and six re-enrolments ol cooks in the last week in October, while six positions were filled. Four re-enrolled in the next week, and work was found for two.

Only two enrolments of lorry and taxi drivers were recorded for the week ended October 30, and there were no placements; but in the week to November 6 there were 14 enrolments and two placements. Itepairs to farming implements, dairy factory machinery, shearing machinery and other plant for seasonal activities are reflected in the demand for fitters, both engineer’s and general. Two new enrolments were recorded during the week to October 30, and only one placement was made; but in the following week there were six enrolments and 19 placements. The state of the plumbing trade is shown by the fact that in the last week of October there was one new enrolment and one placement, and that in the next week an unlicensed plumber re-enrolled and another was given work.

Three painters (brush hands) re-en-rolled during tho first weekly period, and four were placed; and in the second period 12 (brush and duco) enrolled, but work was found for only two brush hands.

Bad weather and a slackened demand for fish accounted for 12 new enrolments of fishermen at a southern port at the end of last month, and a week later three others were listed. Two new enrolments and five reenrolments of storemen were counterbalanced in the final week of October by seven placements; and three enrolments of salesmen to October 30 were followed by eight being placed in jobs. Six new men whose previous occupation was that of hotel porter were enrolled, while during the same week three positions w<jre filled in that occupation. Two motor-assemblers.. re-enrolled, and three were engaged on a permanent basis. Three motor mochanics en-

rolled but only on© was placed. Two fellmongers, one tailor and presser, a drover, two gardeners, a flock millworker, a. foundry worker, and a shearer were among those for whop} work was found.