THE LABOUR MARKET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13519, 16 February 1906, Page 3

THE LABOUR MARKET.

The February issue of tlio Labour Department's Journal contains the following information regarding tlio'condition of the. Jabour'market in Otago:— Duneain.—As anticipated in last month's report, tlio period just closed has been an. exceptionally busy one for - all concerned. Shopkeeper.ond tradesmen generally, almost without exception, state that the month's trado has been the best ior some years past. Work . being plenaiful and wages good, money _ was Bpent very freely, . though ir this latter respect trado might liner been better but for the lateness cf tlio harvest, which has causcd a tightness in the money market. Tho general opinion is that, with the prospects of a fairly good harvest, tile increase in tho price of wool, and the commencement of a number of public and privato works, the early months of tho new year will be very brislt. As an indication of the present stale of the skilled labour market, it is Interesting to noto that, notwithstanding the exceedingly large number of men who have applied for assistance during the month, not cne skilled artisan lias recorded his name, In the agricultural implement manufacturing -wo find that, although' farmers and others aro either already harvesting or are on tlw eve of starting, yet local employers state that they are able to keep their hands going on full time. The building trade continues busy, all classes of tradesmen making full time, and in the country districts there is a good demaud for carpenters, bricklayers, etc. Stonemasons continue slack, but in the course of a month or so they will all be fully employed. Boot trade: Employees report fair time being made. Employers state good orders in hand, and anticipate that, as soon a.i winter stocks are undertaken, difficulty willbe experienced in getting competent hands. The season's work, so far, has been au improvement on last year's output. Oabinetmaking: Bride in all classes of work; all local hands fully employed, and tradesmen from other putts arriving here have been easily placed in employment. Manufacturers Btate that good business is being' done, and a. decided improvement on last year's trade. Two large employers havo opened branches in the .country. Engineering trade, etc.: A slight falling-off from last month, Still, hands are fairly employed, and much better time being made than last year; the only branch in whilch dulness oi any consequence exists is the boiler-making. Coach-building and saddlery: All hands employed, and in tho latter branch there is an improvement on last yeai's season. Cycle and light engineering: Exceptionally busy; thero is room for competent hands at this work. Bookbinders, etc.; AU making full time, and in some instances overtime is being worked to complete orders. Clothing manufacturing : Though orders are fairly plentiful, this industry has been rather unsettled since the new year owing to the effect of the new log. About 40 hands have been thrown out temporarily from the various factories pending an arrangement of their wages. It is expected thai the difficulty will be got over very shortly and with satisfactory results to ell concerned. Tinsmithing: Trade has been o.uiet since the holidays, and a few hands are out of employment. Timber and joinery tiades: All hands are employed and a fairly busy Mason is being looked forward, to. Iktail manufacturers-./Tailors, milliners, and dressmakers have all had a very busy season. A Jiuse-wufiufft «£ -ojjsltfß lias kes, JisifcA

ami numerous orders have had to bo held over for completion during tlio prosent month. Thciro ir every promise oi « continuance ot this briskness for Borne tiuio to coino. Retail trades: Grocers, butchers, drapers, etc., all report having experienced a busy seasonin fact, belter than fo. sovcrai years, past, " here is, however, a slight complaint amongsttkom 'hat money is not as plentiful as tltoy could wish. Unskilled labour: At no period during the past two year lias tho • local branch of this department had to meet such a demand ; for emplojtaent I'rcm this particular dais as during'tho present month. This may be attributed to nwiiy causes, principally .to ' tho largo number of strangers arriving hero from tho.-,Australian States to a great extent displacing the local men. There is also a very strong inclination, even amongst single men, to -romair about town waiting for somothing to turn up. If this class of worker made over 011 ordinary effort to obtain work in the country, steady employment tetiw easily be 'obtained At a matter, of fact we . liavo had requests fiom country employers t< send them hands and have been unable to assist tl'.eiu. This has been particularly tho case with farm hands, and especially good ploughmen, In whom' tho highest rate of wages is being offered. However, with the inducements now offered bv .the Govormnent to place men 011 public works, 'there should bo absolutely 110 person unemployed who is willing and able to tvork During the month the number of persons -who have been placed in employment on Government and private works is Bt. Onmaru.—Building trade: Carpenters, stonemasons, plasterers, painters, and plumbers, busy; all regular hands fully employed. Boot trade: Factories and shops Jnisy. Engineering: Somewhat quiet; regular iiamls not .making full time. Saddlery: Busy; alt hands fully employed. Tailoring: Somewhat quiet since new year, but improving. Woollen mills: Bmsy: nil regular hands employed. Dressmaking and millinery: Busy; regular hands employed, and overtime. Retail trade: Fairly busy in nil branches. Coachbuilding: Busy. Unskilled labour: Only seven men applied for emnloyinent during tho nvmitli. 'The number of labourers in tho uisMet at present is small, o® the majority of flie men uro away at harvesting, etc.