THE LABOR MARKET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2523, 9 June 1909, Page 4

THE LABOR MARKET.

THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTIONS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June S. The Prime Minister informed a “New Zealand Times” representative tonight- that he had called for a report of the state of the labor market from 1904 to 1909. This showed that, with the exception of the year 1906, the number of men employed by the Public Works Department was greater during the present year than at any other time. The latest information from tlio bureaux shows that in Auckland for the week ended June sth, 43 married ‘men and 106 single men registered their names with the Department. In Wellington there were 130, including 30 married; in Christchurch, 117 married and 44 single: in Dunedin 8 married and 4 single. The number of men employed by the Public Works and Roads Departments during April last was 8862, as agaiust 4836 for the same month in 1908. The Government had all along done its best to meet tlie position by employing men upon reproductive works. The amount of work now proceeding in reading the backblocks was extensive, though within the appropriations authorised by Parliament. To meet the position the Government has pushed on the contract for the Auckland post office, proceeded with tluv foundations of tlie Wellington post office, and given help in other ways. The Government Inis' decided to provide further work in tlie direction of bushfelling and clearing. There are 30,900 acres of bush land in the' Waimari.no block, which can be cleared at once, gaving a large amount of employment from June to November. This land, when cleared and burned, would be ready for settlement. Therefore men fit to do this work can be put on without delay. Sir Joseph Ward said that one difficulty that lay iii the waj was the desire ,of a number of the unemployed to stay in the towns. Under the State organised .system of labor bureaux, tlie Government was regularly furnished with information concerning the labor market.