THE LABOUR MARKET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14686, 20 November 1909, Page 5

THE LABOUR MARKET.

The November number of tho Journal of the Department of Labour has the following review of the condition of tlio local labour market:— DI'SEDIX. During the month conditions of labour have been good, and the steady employment offering has had its good' effect on business generally. This is an improvement on what, obtained during the cor-K'-sponding period of last year. Shopkeepers, with the exception of butchers, report a good turnover. Money has been easier than has been the case for some time past, and there has boon a general revival and expansion in the manufacturing trades, and mere particularly in (he building trades. The exception of tho butchers is,said to be on account of » sharp rise in tho prico of stock following so soon upon Ike drop in llio price of meat to the public. With drapers, though trade cannot be said to bo dull, it lias hardly come up to expectations at this time "of tho year. This is.mainly altributablo to tho unsettled weather that has been experienced. Outdoor workers have made good time. A large number of buildings" arc in f'OUKO of erection in Hie city. With shearing and other country work being shortly in full swing, tho prospects for employment, for the ensuing month are excellent.

Building Tr.ides.-Scvoral largo jobs arc 111 hand, and all competent workmen havo l)eon fully employed. In fact, employers have ex]x>rienccd difficulty in obtaining men. Carpentry: Trade has been gcod all round, and is apparently likely to conInitio so for some time, as several buildings in course of erection are now ready for tho woodwork; for llio first time during ii considerable period no names arc on the unemployment, book of the union Plumbing: Trade has not settled. The majority of linns find.work inlormilt«nt luit t.ie future .prospects are good Paint'""r: Tno coming cf spring has had tlio ollcof of ccuiiSKlernbly improving trade. All competent hands arc in employment, and immediate prosper.? snow no signs of any faints; off. riasforiiia: There has bcai a fitihlen fc-l >Dg off during the mouth, <i.nd rii ! ' ; n i y Uv ~ tr f le wiJl kecome'brisk till Onj largo contract is a,pI>ro:ic!..:ng comp.etion, and it. is likely that Mve.w:, workers will b:- nddwl to the miemployed register, which at present has four naiiiM 4i n it. Srcnsmasais: Trade lias revived somewhat since last report; two fairly iaiwn jobs have been storied, and several opjiuhves am in steady omplovment. \\j)«l-,v,-,rkii>g Trudjs.-Joinci-y works report a big improvement, an d B .H suitable hands are being quickly absorbed. In carving and turning there has been little change throughciib the year, aaicJ competent hands are Usually in steady work. . The improvement reported in sawmilling last month lias been more than maintained, Furniture trades are on the mend, but have not yet reached tho normal standard for this time of the year. Employers consider that a full recovery from tbe recent depression will not obtain for at least acother mwith. There are still eomo tradesmen lcJle.

Engineering Trades-Agricultural implement making- has considerably slowed down, hut all hands have bseu kept at work on stocic ior tlio show, which will bo held next week Engineering: There is n o doniand lor titters or tumors, trade being: quiet, and »mo firms are still working short time Iron anw. brass. moulding: Contrary to exPKtaticro, Mraro has been a decided improvement m these branches during the past month, and (lis outlook is bright. There are ftill a few hands who have been forced to accept work outside their own calling. Lras? and copper-smithing are still fairly busy, hut a few men still await employment. Employers complain, of a scarcity of recruits m thc;e bra.nclic3.ol trade. lta-ngo-tr.akiiig: The slackness reported in September has fortunately cVisappsared, and there is a. tendency for a still further betterment Bowrmaking: With the oxception of ono or hvo firms, trade is reported as very slack uwchl, jior is any improvement anticipated from tho present outlook. Electrical engineering is certain to keep busy. The demand for this motive power is' increasing iind tho main supply from Waipori has to be duplicated. When this work U carrier) cut a. stall further trade improvement will undoubtedly, .follow.

Cycle and Motoi- Trades.-Employers report steady business, with anticipations of expansion as the seaso.ii advances.

Leather Trades.—Beef making: Most factories Lave been engaged on light work, and consequently henchmen, who are accustomed only to heavy work liavo\,beeii idle. Inquiries have been made for one or two bcJichmen for,light work only, and machinists could be placed. . Although thcro is an improvement in the trade, it b nob quite up to normal conditions. Repair audi retail shops report that trade is quiet. . Clothing Trades. - The antipieat.lons quoted in last, report have been fully loafed, and trade has revived. All factories arc busily engaged, more particularly in the cafe of those making chart orders, lhc hands temporarily displaced have been ami thcro is now a demand for worker.?. Shirt making lms been inclined to be quiet with one or two firms, on. account of a shortage of material due to the loss of the s.s, Maori. Supplies arc forward, and trails is now very brisk again, Miwillemakmg: Trade has own, very satisfactory— in some factories very busy. There is a difficulty in obtaining .hands'for this -branch. Hosiery: No change is apparent, and factories are esill very busy. Order tailoring is mow brisk, and employers have considerable difficulty in. obtaining tho requisite labour. Dressmaking and millinery: •Tho. former has been .exceptionally busy', and a gocd deal of overtime, has becnv worked. This is the very busy e«ison for -theso trades, and the universal cry is for more girk The recent unsettled weather has quite spoilt tlio sale of bate, and the millinery trad; lias suffered in consequence. A considerable ohango for the better is,however, expected as tho weather becomes more settled and seasonable.

Trmting Trade—There is no alteration to report. Some firms have been busy, while others report that tliey have been very quiet. Generally speaking, tho trade is dull, and there is no demand for workers. Dookbincfng: Business with most firms to ten fairly good, but the trade generally i.snot up to the normal state. Tho ensuing month should show an improvement.

Tinumithing.—No men arc idle. Trade has brightened considerably. Rims doing da try work, are particularly busy.

Coacnbuikiing still quiet, hut an improvement on tho previous month has been shown. Now .work is scarce, and blacksmiths are not kept in constant worlc.

Straw-hat Making.—Trado is very busy, and factories havo boon on overtime for a long period. Female workers are in demand.

Fell-lint Making.—This trado is not no good as the local manufactured artiolo should warrant. Tho manufacturers claim that, for quality and pi'ico ; t compares with that imported.

Basket-making.—lnquiries are mado for workers, particularly thoso used to making coal-boskets.

Tanning and Fellmongery.—Trade is normal, and there is r.o demand [or workers. Agricultural operations very active, domum! being made specially for ploughmen, milkers, and shearers.

Coal-mining still remains slaok, and no improvement tan be expected earlier than the winter.

Unskilled Labour.—-Outdoor work has boon plentiful, and jjood workers havo had no dilliculty in getting placed. With tho country work offering, there should bo ,no reasonable excuse for capable workers being idle.' During tho month 133 men were assisted to mi 4, 73 being single and 60 married, with 22b dependants, Oamaiw. Owing to recent rains a good harvest is almost assured. Wool is selling well, ami the grain crops are very promising. Farmers arc now busy preparing for sowing mangolds, turnips, rape, elc. All the different traders report business is good, but Mine say money is difficult, to got; but. that is generally tho case at this season uf the year in all parts. Building Trades.—Carpentry anil joinery very brisk, all local hands employed. Plumbing and gasfitting and ntonemasonry brisk.

Woodworking Trades. — C'ablnotmaking and upholstering busy. Sash and door factories: Trade is exceptionally good. Saw. milling very busy. Wood-turning, etc., slick.

Engineering Trades.-Agricultural implement making busy. Electrical engineering and lilting and turning busy. • Leather Trades-Hootmaking (factories) wry busy; all hands employed working full lime. Bootmaking (repair shops) very busy, and every prospect of continuing so. Sadcllory and liarnessmaking very bus;-.

Clothing Trades—Dressmaking and millinery very busy; working overtime. Shirtmaking' busy. Tailoring (factories) very busy. Tailoring (order) very brisk; all hands employed. Woollen milling: All hands employed,

Retail Trades.-Clothing, boots, drapery, and groceries: Business verv good generally.

Printing-All hands employed. Meat-fn.<czing. Etc.—Tanning, currvhig, and felhnongering: Hands working " full lime.

loachbllilding Trades. — Black-smithing and eoaeh and carriage building busy. Cycle and motor trades fairly brisk. Agricultural Operations. — Farming, dairying, etc: Tlio crops are nearly all in, and the land is being prepared for mangolds and turnips, etc. Grass is more plentiful than is usual at this season of tho year.

Tjiiskilled Labour.—All local hands aro fully employed. There havo been very few callers for work. On tho whole, things are looking very well in this district. During tho period one man was assisted to private employment.

WOMEN'S EMPLOYMENT BUREAU. Of tho 205 applications during tho month at Duiiediu. 135 wore from employers requiring domestics, and 70 from domestics seeking employment. Of this number. 45 were placed in employment. Tlio demand for capable general servants is aa keen as ever, and many are- tho inquiries made as to when the next batch of immigrants is expected from Home. A noticeable feature during tho month has been the number of inquiries made for "work by tho day" by both married and single Women. In some instances the reason for returning to their home at night to sleep has been on account of young children, and iii others on behalf of nn aged or invalid parent. This plan, however, does not. at all suit the requirements of a largo majority of the mistresses, though a fewhave been practically compelled to adopt it for tho time lining owing to tho extreme dearth of. generals.