THE LABOUR MARKET.

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 December 1912, Page 2

THE LABOUR MARKET.

IN WANGANUI

The Journal of the Department of Labour reports on the Labour conditions for Wanganui for the month ended November 30th.as -follows: — While there is very little difference generally in the conditions of trade and lousiness during the .past month, with the exception of the building trade, there ie"still a 'lack of firmness in the conditions prevailing. The variable climatic conditions are .responsible to a great extent for outdoor operations in both town and country having (been, retarded. Retailors report fair business, during what as considered one of the busiest months of the year. There has been an improvement in the demand for unskilled workers, and the demand for milkers and farm hands cannot be met. Building trades: Bricklaying (busy; several large buildings now in hand wilL keep men busy for some months. Carpentry and joinery busy, and no men reported idle. Painting ibusy; there is a demand for good painters. Plastering —Outdoor work has suffered" ia little during the month, owing to bad weather. Plumbing and .gasfitting busy; plumbers have been in demand. Woodworking trades: Boxm'aking busy. Cabinetmaking and upholstering busy; all local labour is fully employed. Coopering busy; now that the freezing season Iras commenced there is a good demand for tallow casks. iSash and door factories ibusy; the excellent condition in this trade reported last month still continues, and future (prospects are good. Wood-turning, etc.. ibusy. Engineering trades: Boilermaking fair; no anen idle. Fitting and turning fair. Sufficient work for1 all hands. Iron and 'brass moulding qudet. Leather trades: Bootmiakinio- (repair shops) ibusy; lall shops report having plenty of work on hand". 'Saddlery jand harness making quaet; trade is still a little .unsatisfactory in this (branch of industry. ■Clothing triades: Dressmaking; and millinery ibusy, as is usual at this time of the year; there is a demand for dressmakers. iShinfcimalcinig—There as no change to record in this trade, .which continues to be brisk. Tailoring (order) busy; in nearly all the factories overtime has been worked during the month and iboth tailors and tailoresses are eiagerly sought after. Retail trades: -Clothing iand boots •mAvioja ©IWII "O tteeq1 qauu; sapus f.Tii?j than usual for this time of the year. Drapery—The month's 'business has not quite been n^> to the standard, the unsettled clLmiatic conditions fbein gagainst the demand for light spring materials. Groceries normal.

Printing tnades: Boohbiindiiiiio: and printing—: Re.ports stil fiavounable; trade is active in both departments. Meat Ferezing, etc.: Tanning, currying arid ,!Mknoinge,rinig, etc., fair. Slaughtering, freezing, and preserving —The local works are not in^fiull operation yet, but are expected to be so next month.

Coiac'hlbuilding trades: BLacksmithimg —Tirade ds good both in town land country, .chiefly with re,pasr work. Coach and carriage building quiiet. Especially is this so in new work; regular hands are kept going with repai irwiork. Cycle and motoir trades: Sales flair; mechanics are very btisy with repair wiork. '

Agricultural operations: Planning, dairying, etc._ —There is -a continued dem/and_ for milkers tand farm hands ; shearing operations are proceeding slonvly, owing to the -wet weather; all the butlter factories and creameries are working ah • high, jpreslsufe. Unskilled labour: There is still very little unskilled Liibour offering about +fhie town, but in the country road w,ork has 'been put in hand during; tihe month, and there <is now a demand for pick-and-sliovel men for this work; a number of m&n have also taken on shearing, and with the commencement of the freezing season a number of capable hands have been employed. Palmersitom North.—Retail -trade hns been quieter during the oast month, /but is expected to improve wit!h the advent of Christmas. The building trade fe exceptionally busy, land miaaiy buildings, both business and residential, are in course of construction. The Borough Council retui*ns are 15 building 'permits, to the value of £6,190. Building trades: Bricklaying fairly busy. Oaripontry and joinery very busy. Piainting very .good; all hands fully employed; weather uiifavourafble for outside work. Plastering good. Plumibmg and :gasfitting very good. ®tonema.sonry kept busy. Woodworkinig trades: Boxmaking very good. Cabiinetmiaking and upholstering not very busy. Coopering fair. Sash a,nd door factories very 'busy. Sawimillm.g, wood turning, etc., good. Engineering trades: Agricultural imp'lemieln<t making fairly sgood; {better than last month. Brass land coppersmithing fairly busy. _ Leather trades: Boot making (factories) closed doiwn. Boot miakin,g (repair shoips) just fai,r. Saddlery <and harnass making busy. ' . ■ : _ Clothing trades : DreKsmiaking and millinery very busy; order tailoring very busy. Retail trades: Clothing if airily good. Boots busy. Drapery fair; wot weiather has interfered with the sales. Groceries good. Printing trades: Bookbinding fairly quiet. ' ■ " ■ Coa-clibuilding trades: Blacksmithing fairly busy. Coach and carriage ibuilding just fair. Cycle and motor trades have (been fairly busy up till last week, (but are 2ii>w slack. Miscellaneous: FLax-milling is in full swing, and is likely to continue so. Unskilled lalwur: Very little offernig. •