THE LABOUR MARKET

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1851, 28 August 1907, Page 47

THE LABOUR MARKET

The Journal of the Department of Labour for August reports as follows on the labour market in Wellington’:— Business in general lias maintained its usual standard for this season of the year. Retailers complained of a shortage of ready cash during the early part of the month; this was due, no doubt, to the spell of wet weather which materially affected the earnings of outdoor workers. However, the fine weather experienced for . the past fortnight, has given tone, and there is a prospect of more satisfactory business being done. Building trades still keep active, and the lull that existed during the previous month has disappeared. Contractors report that there are no inquiries for work by either bricklayers or carpenters, while the plasterers' employment-book shows that no men are out of employment. Judging from the laige number of buildings in course of erection, the building trade will be good for some time to come.

Engineering.—There is a marked improvement in all branches of the trade during the month, and trade may he said to be. fairly busy. Blacksmiths are still busy, and "good tradesmen have no difficulty" in obtaining employment. The moulders’ employment-book shows there are no men out of work. Rangemakers keep busy; all hands fully employed. Boot-manufacturers report that they are very busy, and all hands fully employed. * There is a difficulty in obtaining good female machinists. Tailoring (order). —There is little change from the previous month. All hands fully employed. Overtime has still to he resorted to in order to keep pace with the demand. Clothing trade. —Very busy, and it ; s difficult to supply the demands of the trade without working overtime, and it is only on most pressing orders that overtime is being worked at present. Dressmaking.—Exceptionally busy for this season of the. year, and a good deal of overtime is being worked. Furniture trade.—No change on the previous month, and all branches of the trade are keeping very busy. . Ooachbuilders. —Employers report-busi-ness to be very good,. a.nd all hands working full time. Employment-book shows that no tradesmen are out ot Sheet-iron work and tinsmitking busy; tinsmiths are in demand. Brick, tile, and pipe-making.— A good, steady business is being done in all branches of the trade. Saddlers busy; all hands working full making bixsy; there has been a big demand for-these goods durincr tliG month. . Cycje trade sliows a falling-off coinpjared with the previous month.,; . . Woollen-milling and hosiery trade still very busy; all hands fully employed. , Plumbing and gas fitting very busy in all branches. ' ‘ ' , , - „ ■ Unskilled labour.—The number of. applicants for employment has increased during the past month, owiajg, no doubt.

|to the unsatisfactory weather experi- ) epoeJ of Good bushxnen have been bem £ j mad« fo- h&iry-farm hands with experience NotAiie Coming season). One hundred and six men (twenty-four married and eighty-two single with seventy-eight dependants) have ..employment during.-- the ..month Iwenty-fivo were sent to Government voiks and eighty-on”' :.2 private employment.