THE LABOUR MARKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 1602, 5 August 1882, Page 15

THE LABOUR MARKET.

Mr Skknb roports for the week ending 2nd August ;—

We hail with joy the vernal sunshine once again. July has been a pretty tough customer ; but now ib brightens, and" working men can got full scope for full-time work. The inquiry is large for all fit for dairy and farm, tradesmen and labourers. Females, of course, command the position. In the economy of labour it is necessary to abstract from the " working machine" as large a return as possible. The most ordinary observer will admit that the working man in New Zealand can get through more work in a given time with less fatigue than his brother in the Old Country. Ouv eight-hours system shows as good refcults as the ten at Homo. Why? Climate assists greatly. But the great factor ia an ample supply of wholesome and cheap muscle-producing food. The poorest can have flour, vegetables, and butcher meat ad! lib. Far too many ignore thi» great blessing, and shortly after arriving forget the pinching aud scraping gone through at Home. If misfortune or old age overtake us here, benevolence consigns us to quarters where food, comfort, and even luxuries are freely bestowed. In bargaining for wages working men should look at these things. Deprive our hardy sons of toil of their mutton thrice a day, and the result is too terrible to contemplate. Why, the sun would stand still ; and suppose, further, that porridge or brose were entirely to supplant butcher 9 meat ! Nothing short of rebellion would ensue. But wo will not lisk this dread catastrophe. Let us feed our hard-worked friends well, for they are our backbone and bulwark. Only waste loss, value more, cook better ; for hath not King George 111 said that " God mad© the meat, and tho devil made the cook. Wages vory firm, and gotting nig" or.

Messrs GttANT anr Co., Universal Labour Exchange, report: — Wo have had winter in all its severity during the past week, causing the entire suspension of outdoor works Farmers i\ra unable to get in their crops owing to the boil being completely saturated, and in too many cased entirely covered with watov ; their hordes are in the stable-, and their men unemployed in consequence. Thcsu cau-es have had a depressing' effect on the labour market, and the demand for ploughmen and general Jar in and station hands haa eased consul ably. Wages not so firm as the preceding week. Couples are moving off slowly, but there are a number still waitine engagement. The same remarks apply to shepherds. Hotel men are plentiful. Trade men seom Jalrly employed. Female Ber« vantg scarce, especially useful servants (or the country, Kates ot wages : No material alteration since }a»fc week,.