THE SKILLED TRADES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16566, 27 October 1921, Page 7

THE SKILLED TRADES.

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK. The outlook in regard to employment in the skilled trades is reported by trade union officials to be much brighter at present than has been the case for some months. In the building trades the position is generally good. Carpenters are fully employed, but a few plumbers are still out of work. The painting trade is brisker, most tradesmen being engaged in fairly constant work, but the supply of labour is quite equal to the demand. A keen demand for plasterers still exists, and no labour is offering. There is also a scarcity of bricklayers. The printing trades have also improved owing to the extra work caused br race week, and there is a prospect of conditions in this trade continuing to be brisk ri<rht up to Christmas. The engineering trades are still fairly slack. There is decided unemployment among traction engine and stationary engine drivers, this being partly due to the introduction of electricity and other causes, but hopes are entertained that the position will brighten up. The view was expressed by a trade union secretary that even in trades where all tho journeymen are fully occupied, the suoplv of labour is sufficient for present requirements, excepting in the case of the plastering trade. He desired to make this clear in order that the public would not get the idea that there was ample employment offering for all classes of skilled artisans.