MONTHLY LABOR REPORT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12282, 8 July 1914, Page 1

MONTHLY LABOR REPORT.

The following is the monthly liibor report for June for the Oamaru district: —. .

' Alt-hough-generally, recognised as one of the slackest months of the year., June is reported on this occasion to .he one of-the best experienced for many years. As mentioned.lnst- month, several shop tronts- are being altered, and some halfdozen ■ new jobs are expected to be started at- an early date. This, together with two. or-three largo- buildings m course of-; erection, lias given the town a.busy.aspect, and kept all tradesmen constantly in employment. In retail businesses seasonable sales are being conducted, and excellent -trade is sn-kl' to have .been done. There is 'practically no ■■unemployment here, although there have, been a few more callers than ,in j previous months. . Building Trades. —Carpentry anil joinery have been particularly bright, •and prospects are of the best. Painting—There -are- several large- jobs in view, which should support this industry well) over the winter. Plastering is "brisk. Plumbing and Gasfitting— Reports show that trade" has been goods Stonemason ry has been very busy, .several large jobs being in hand, and there should' be enough work to keep men. engaged for some time. - ■ Wood-working Trades. making and Upholstering—Although.all labor has been kept- go in?;,, trade, has been . slack. Sash -and door factories/ have had a : busy.-month-, and: sawittilW ing lias alsor been, very fair throughout., . ' ..... . - ....

Engineering Trados. : Agricxilfciiral implement making—Owing to the fact that a considerable -amount of wet. weather has interfered with the successful carrying out of country operations, the demand.'.-fop implements and for repairs has been, so small as-to liave kept- this branch dull. All other branches of the engineering trades, however, report excellent business', due largely to the -amount of building going on in the town- and the consequent demand! for girders and other ironwork. Leather Trad.es. —Boot factories, report- a. steady month, and repair shops, as is. usual, in the winter, have been kept very busy. Saddlery and harnessinaldng have 'also maintained the good condition! reported last month. Clothing Trades. —Dressmaking anil millinery—Considering the time of the year, there are more hands employer! at- dressmaking than has been the case in June, for several years past, and a little overtime has been applied for. Millinery, however, is- not- so bright, although all workers are kept :in employment. Tailors' reports arc the same as dressmakers', and' there appear to -be several orders on hand to keen •trade brisk for some time. . Woollenmilling—Although this trade has noo been so bright as in former years, which is accounted for by the strike in November last, business is now picking up well, and,.employers are looking ahead with more, confidence.

Retail! Trades. —Clothiers and drapers appear to have experienced a very fair" month, and there are seasonable sales on hand in most of the shops, which have maintained 1 business* well. Boot retailers have been busy. Grocers also report a good month % Printing Trades. —Very brisk. Meat-freezing, etc. —in the fellmongering departments the men have been working full time, and l good wa-gei •are reported to have been earned. -Slaughtering, freezing, etc, —The end of the season- is expected in about a fortnight's . time, and the number of butchers has been reduced. Those now engaged, however, are all working full time, and should continue to do so until the works aire closed.

Coachbuilding Trades.—Blacksmiths have not -been, so busy as at last.report, although uo one. has been unemployed. Coachbnilding has been very brisk, and is expected to remain so for some ••Weeks. Cycle and Motor Trades. —Business has" been good for this season of the year. Unsettled weather has rather detrimentally <aft'ected' trade, but all hand's have found enough to do, and prospects: are now better. Agricultural operations have been ratlier hampered by the wet weather experienced, although a few days' dry spell appears to have given some farmers confidence ,to recommence operations. ...

Miscellaneous.—Flourmiliing is reported to be; still bright, and one firm ■continues to work three shifts. Bluchers report better business, and ham and bacon, carers are exceptionally brisk. , '

Unskilled Labor.—There have bec-n six callers during the month, but. owing to a. stoppage of orders from the Public Works Department,- they were not placed-in employment.- They-did not, however; cpll' again. '