DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8262, 16 October 1906, Page 6

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR.

The Journal of the Department of Labour for October contains the following:— Teuui. Building trades: Very busy. Retail trade (general): A very fair business has been doing in all branches during the month. Unskilled labour.—All Jooal men have been faiily employed during the month at scrub-cutting, fenciuu, road-work, ploughing, and gardening. Several swaggers were seen un the road during thementh, but tnose who were capable of doing work go* employment at surub-euttiug in the district.

Masterton.—-Steady improvement is noticed in the volume of trade done by retail lr uses riuriDg the last month, nnd the same, can bo said in reference to factory-work. Generally speaking, it can safely be said that business baa been very satisfactory,to which fact the favourable weather experienced has, no doubt, materially contributed. As the population increases so also tnere increases the number of shopkeepers anxious to supply commodities to the public There are ot present mora shops doing business in Masterton than at any previous period, and the increase still continues. Building trades: These trades have been fairly busy. Of course, reports vary a little, which is inevitable in trades of this kind, but none go below "fair,'' while the majority put it as "good." There are also a number of jobs coming forward shortly. Engineering trade: ,Keportfi .indicate that business has been fairly good during the montb, with evory prospect of its continuing. Coaohbuildlug: An improvement .upon last montb, being now fnirly busy. .Furniture trades: These trades*, which have-been slack during the winter months, have greatly improved during the period under review. All local tradesmen are wording full time. Dressmaking and millinery are now becoming busy, all hands working full time. TaUoriug: Business is fairly brisk. The uuruter of hands employed is increasing. The prospects for the coming .season are good. Retail trade (general): JJusines9 is good throughout this distiiot, with prospecta of a good season ahead. Have received some complaints that money is tight. Grocers have also complained t-f hign ohargAH for freight for some of their goods over the railway viz., kerosene. Unskilled labour: A number of men have beeu looking for work, which has not been plentiful, especially for strangers. Several men have been sent to co-operative railway-work, and others assisted to obtain private work.