TRADE AND EMPLOYMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16122, 10 January 1916, Page 7

TRADE AND EMPLOYMENT.

CONDITIONS IN AUCKLAND. REVIEW FOR DECEMBER. Trade conditions in Auckland during the month of December were generally satisfactory. The influx of visitors from the country was very large, with the result that the shops were well patronised. The amount of retail business transacted during the month compared very favourably with the corresponding returns for the previous December. Very good sales are reported by dealers in fancy goods. Those occupied in the drapery business also report a particularly good turnover in some instances record business having been done. The men's clothing and mercery "retail trade has, however, suffered considerably owing to the number of men on active service.

The conditions of trade in the various manufacturing industries showed a slightimprovement over those obtaining during November. All men engaged in the building trade were fully employed. On the other hand, a slackening tendency was noticeable in the wood-working trades. Overtime was worked in some of the engineering works, but, notwithstanding this, several employers were unable to complete orders. The same state of affairs existed in the case of the leather and clothing industries.

As a whole, the demand for unskilled labour was fair. A number of positions are still open to suitable farm hands. During December 37 men were assisted to private employment; of these, 14 were married men with 39 dependants, and 23 were single men. Thirty-one of those assisted were from the North Island, two from Australia, two from Great Britain, and two from other countries. The general disposition on the part of women out of work not to enter into new employment until after the holidays has again existed this year. Altogether 245 applications were received at the women's employment branch, of which 176 were from employers and 69 from women seeking employment. As a result 49 engagements were made. The demand for cooks, generals, housemaids, and waitresses far exceeded the number available.

Tenders are invited by the Public Works Department for the construction of stop banks, in connection with contracts 3 and 4, along the Waihou River near Paeroa.