TRADE AND UNEMPLOYMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18170, 15 February 1921, Page 6

TRADE AND UNEMPLOYMENT

POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH. NO CAUSE FOR ALARM. (Fbow Odb Own Coeeebpondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 14. What is the position regarding employment in phristchuroh was the question put by a representative of the Sun to several local manufacturers. The head of a large engineering firm said his firm, which handles all kinds of engineering work, including agricultural implements, was exceedingly busy, and that without any special job being on hand. It is understood that a number of engineers were out of employment, but it is believed that was in a chief measure due to the fact that a number of ships that had been under repair at Port Chalmers had now been recommissioned, thus liberating men ; who had dispersed over the country to their own towns; otherwise it is believed that there is not very much wrong with the position of the engineering trade, and he did not believe that a slump is impending. Another large employer had not quite such an optimistic story. He admitted that 25 men employed by the firm were under notice of discharge. He would not adnlit that this was due to a slump arising out of the bad economic and_ commercial position, but rather to climatic conditions. Harvest had been late, thus delaying subsequent ploughing and other agricultural operations, and the farmer had a little habit or not buying his new machines until he absolutely needed them. .The belief in country districts that prices of machinery were going to fall was also a factor in the slackness that exists. He did not see any special grounds for pessimism, £s the firm was always slack at this season. In the furniture trade there is also some slackness, though apparently up to the present only one firm has been' discharging hands. The manufacturers spoken to conveyed no impression that thev had any fear of an impending slump. Explanations given for such_ slacknes as exists is the heavy importations of furniture and the idea among the _ public, is said to be erroneous, that prices would fall. It was urged that ns labour and timber, two chief items in furniture-making, were not likely to fall in price, a drop in the price of furniture was not likely.