LABOUR REPORT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144132, 30 June 1913, Page 2

LABOUR REPORT.

FDR NEW PLYMOUTH DISTRICT. Following is tho report of Mr. W. Slaughter, local representative of the Department of Labour, on trade and labour conditions for tho period ending Juno 28:— Trade and labour conditions generally, are reported as good. Retailers are feeling the after effects of tho Winter Show and the visit of the Battleship, but the general opinion is a satisfactory one. Tho Waitara Freezing Works are closing down after a very successful season. There is very little unemployment and tho borough authorities arc making special effort to absorb all the unskilled labour until tho work in connection with tho proposed tramways and other loan works can bo started. In tho building trade prospects are bright for tho winter, but it is doubtful if any surplus labour from out side the district could be placed. Boot operatives are temporarily out of employment owing to an unfortunate fire at the local factory. The tailoring and millinery trades have worked a considerable arnvunt of overtim,e and there is demand for good tailoresses, and also for shirtmakors.

Building Trades. —Bricklaying; Quiet. Carpentry and joinery ;■ There is a fair amount of work in hand, but the supply of local artisans is equal to the demand; three names are on the employment book. Painting: Busy; all hands fully employed. Plastering; Fair. Plumbing and gasfitting: Quiet. Wood-working Trades.—Box-making; Trade lias slackened off owing to the close of the dairying season. Oabinet'making and upholstering: Busy; in most shops all hands fully employed. Coopering; Quiet. Sash and door factories: A very busy monthlias been experienced, and there is plenty of work in hand. Sawmiiling: Normal, AVood-turning, etc.: Fairly busy.

Engineering Trades. —Agricultural implement making; Busy. Boilermaking: Slack. Brass-smithing: Fairly busy. Electrical engineering: Normal. Fitting and turning: Busy. Iron and brass mounding: Busy. Leather Trades.—Boot-making (factories) : No work at present owing to a lire'at tho local factory. Boot-making (repair shops): Busy. Saddlery and harness-making: Fairly busy. Clothing Trades.—Dressmaking _ and millinery: Dressmaking, busy; millinery, an average amount of business being done. Shirt-making: Very busy; good machine hands are in demand; Tailoring (order): Very busy; good tailorcsses wanted. ‘ Detail Trades.—Clothing, boots, and drapery : Fairly good ;• shopkeeper's report tlrat for the time of year trade is up to the average. Groceries: Steady business is being done. Printing Trades. Book-binding: Fairly busy. Printing: Slack. - Meat Freezing, etc.—Tanning, 1 currying and fellmongerv: A fair amount of work being done. Slaughtering,- freezing and preserving; The local export works are closing down for the season. Coachbuilding Trades.—Blacksmithing: Fairly busy. Coach and-carnage building: Fairly busy in repair lines. Cycle and motor trades: Trade good, especially in repair shops. Agricultural Operations.—Farming, dairying, etc.: Tho dairying season being over some of the creameries are closed down. There is very little work offering here at present, and all applications for labour are being supplied locally. There have boon several in3niries for men for bushfelling and vra-er-sembbing, but suitable men have not been available. Miscellaneous.—lronmongery: Pair. Tent and tarpaulin making: Good. Aerated water; Very quiet. Brewery : Busy. Petroleum oil; Fresh bores are still being put down and the refinery is expected to start operations within the next fortnight. The supply of oil is reported as regular and satisfactory. Unskilled Labour.—Tho secretary of the Labourers’ Union reports very few men out of employment. This must be considered satisfactory, as tho completion of building operations at the oilfields has necessitated a considerable shortening of hands. Work, however, is somewhat intermittent. Tho close of the 'export trade from tho freezing works will necessarily moan that a certain amount of labour will bo thrown on tho market, but this will, probably be absorbed by tho farmers for ' tho next few mouths. Nine applications have' been received for employment, and suitable positions found in each case.