THE LABOUR MARKET

Otago Witness, Issue 2605, 17 February 1904, Page 19

THE LABOUR MARKET

John Skene and Son resort umler date February 16 as follows: — The demand for experienced able-bodied harvesters is increasing daily, lOd per hour being freely offered. Ploughmen and bind-er-workers are next in demand at 22s 6d and 255, with .-63 to £7 harvest bonus. For good milkers we are offering 20s, 22s 6d, but at present they are scarce. Married couples for farms and stations are easily placed at £70 -to £PO. For smart active shepherds we are offering £60 to £65. Lads for naxrnills and flax-cutters are moving off daily. Experienced threshing mill hands will be wanted very shortly, wages probably lOd per hour. One- thoiisand bushels of Hunter's wheat were sold at Christchurch on Saturday at 2s lOd per bushel, delivered at Prebblehon Station. This price marks an advance on recent rates. — Pre.ss. The statistician of the Department of Agriculture has compiled figures showing the quantity and value of produce- exported from the colony during January of this year. The figures for the corresponding month of 1903 are given in parentheses. Butter totalled 49,854cwt, valued at £230,421 (52,217ewt, value £247,117) ; cheese, 15,H0cwt, value £37,239 (10.331cwt, value £24.100) ; frozen beef, 68G5c\vt, value £79c2 (25,616cwt, value. £35.445); frozen mutton, 63,255cwt, value £87,956 (145,763cwt, value, £189,091) ; frozen lamb, 41,0Slcwt, value £71,138 (33,760cwt, value- £66.252) ; wheat, 85,113 bushels, value £11,979; oats, 415,019 bushels, value £29,726. The values of the. exports of produce during the 10 months of the financial year are as follow, the figures for the corresponding year being given in parentheses : — Butter, £1.005,107 (£964,725);" cheese-, £141.576 (£112,847); frozen beef, £192,187 (£230,901); frozen mutton. £1,161.795 (£1,199,755) ; frozen lamb, £737,471 (£6b0,041).