LABOUR MARKET.—JANUARY 12, 1883.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume X, Issue 510, 19 January 1883, Page 18

LABOUR MARKET.— JANUARY 12, 1883.

P. M. Grant and Co., Labour Agents, report for the week :—: — We are all bustle now in preparing for harvest work. This week will see general harvest in the northern district, and a few patches in the south will be in readiness for the reaper. There are a considerable number of men waiting engagements, but they seem reluctant to accept of the wages offering, and at present we find some difficulty in effecting engagements, men expecting extreme wages. We hear of high rates being offered for harvesters north, but these reports require confirmation, and in the absence of any guarantee as to the actual rate of wages ruling, we are unable to quote as our engagements of harvesters is confined to hands for a term of roontbSr We have a great demand for ploughmen, especially those competent to work reapers and binders, and we are offering those 40s per week. Contractors are competing briskly with the farmers for labour. It seems a pity that large contracts are not to a considerable extent suspended during harvest months when all bands are required and wages high. This would afford farmers a great advantage and also equalise the labour for the men generally ; after harvest is over a great number of men find some difficulty in securing steady employment at reasonable wages. Couples meeting with ready engagements ; shepherds, we have engaged a considerable numb-r for this season of the year; ploughmen, unable to meet demands, and holding out for an advance in wages ; milkers, general hands, boys, scarce ; tradesmen, busy at satisfactory wages ; hotelmen. hard to procure, a number preferring to rough it on the harvest field rather than stay in town at small wages ; dairymen, youths, boys, in demand ; female servants still scarce and extremely hard to please ; we shall be glad When a fresh supply cornea to band. Wages firm,