LABOUR REPORT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144857, 8 December 1915, Page 2

LABOUR REPORT.

NOVEMBER IN NEW PLYMOUTH. SATISFACTORY CONDITIONS. The Labour report for the period ending November 30 is ae follows: Traue and labour conditions have, been quite satisfactory during tha last month. Retail traders express satisfaction with the amount of business done, which is quiw equal to that of the same month last year. Manufacturers do not complain at the state of trade, but it is feared that a difficulty may be found presently in securing sufficiently skilled workmen, and business may suffer in consequence. The build.ng trade is stiff fairly busy in all its branches, and there are some large buildings, to be erected, so that the prospect is good for some time to come. The iron trade shows a slight falling off, but that is said to be of a temporary character. Saddle and harness mating is suffering in consequence of the advent of the motor. Cycle repair shops are very quiet as a result of so many young fellows going to the front. The outlook from the agricultural and dairyman’s point of view is reported to be very satisfactory. The Borough Council is pushing forward with a large amount of street formation work, ana all local unskilled labour is employed. Building trades.—Bricklaying: Fair. Carpentry and joinery; Busy. Painting: Busy. Plastering: Quiet. Plumbing and gasfitting: Busy. Stbnemasonry: Quiet. Wood-working trades,—Box-making: Busy. Cabinetmaking and upholstering : Satisfactory. Coopering: Busy. Sash and door factories: Busy; all hands fully employed. Sawmilling and wood-turning, etc.: Busy. Engineering trades.—Boilermaking; Fair. Electrical engineering: Busy. Fitting and tui>jrie: Fair, but there has been a slight falling-off since last month. Iron, and brass moulding: Fair. leather trades.—Bootmakmg (factories); Busy; all hands are fully employed, and overtime is being worked; mere are openings for both benchmen and finishers. Repair shops: Busy. Saddlery and harSiess-making: Fair; all tradesmen are employed. Clothing trades.—Dressmaking and millinery: Very busy. Shirtmakmg: Busy, overtime .being worked, and there are openings for one or two good machinists. Order: Busy; all journeymen are employed and overtime is being worked. , Retail trades.—Clothing, boots and drapery: Satisfactory, but slackened off towards tbo end of the month. Groceries: Steady business is being done. Printing trades.—Bookbinding and printing: Busy; overtime has been worked during the'month. Meat-freezing, etc. —Tanning, curryand fellmongvry: Busy. Slaughtering, freezing, aqd preserving: The season is now almost in full swing, and a busy time is expected. Coaohbuilding trades.—Blacksmithing: Busy. Coach and carriage buildmg: Fair. Cycle and motor trades.—Fair, but there is a gradual falling-off in repair work. . _ Agricultural operations.—Farming, dairying, etc.: All dairy factories are now busy, and there is still a demand for milkers and other competent farm hands. ' , , Miscellaneous.—Aerated water manufacturing: Busy. Baiters and pastrycooks: Busy. Brickmaking: Fair. Brewing: Busy. Cement pipe making: Satisfactory. Petroleum oil boring and refining: Quiet. Unskilled labour.—The number of applicants for employment during the month has been the lowest for a very long time, only seven unskilled workers having called at this office, and the majority of these d'd not call the second time. No difficulty has been experienced in placing all suitable men.