VIGOROUS ATTACK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 200, 10 June 1929, Page 4

VIGOROUS ATTACK.

THE APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM.

VIEWS OF MR D. JONES, M.P.

(Special to the “Guardian.”) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Bantering reference to Parliament and taxation by Mr W. Machin, in proposing the toast of the New Zealand Parliament at the complimentary social to the Taranaki farmers on Saturday night, was followed by a vigor--ous/ attack by Mr David Jones, M.P.,. on the apprenticeship system. Mr Machin said that individually they respected, admired, and esteemed l the members of Parliament, hut collectively they said very differenttilings about them. “We find heavily upon us the hands of these people who govern us,” he added, referring to thepowers of taxation that lay in their viands. “When they got together they make hay with our businesses, making. it 1 difficult for us to expand and employ more labour, and try to press on our pockets to relieve an artificial position which they thein selves help tor create. Personally, howeyer, we regard them as jolly good fellows, and I ask you to drink to their health.” In the course of his reply, Mr Jones said that New Zealand stood in a unique position to-day as far as agricultural and pastoral produce was concerned. It was one of the object lessons the Legislature ought to recognise, and indeed it should begin to. consider whether the same system should not he practised in other industries. The problem of unemployment and the problem of taxation (one in A measure made the other) were difficult. '“But,” he added, “we are going up to Wellington to carve up that 70 millions, and everything will be all right. If any of you don’t get your chequesin a month or two please write to me. (Laughter.) “One of the worst troubles in New Zealand to-day,” Mr Jones continued, “is the number of boys growing up who are refused the right to learn a. trade. If any of you were the fathers of such boys you would realise what a unique thing "it is. There are laws in this country which drive boys and girls into blind alleys and pick-and-shoyei work. I know of nothing worse in New Zealand than to make our boys, who 1 are growing up, kick their heels in Christchurch, because they are blocked from learning a trade that is invaluable to anyone. “I hope,” he added, “we see nofurther taxation in New Zealand because it leaves less to he spent in providing employment for the balanceof the people. In this country we have blazed the trail in regard to much valuable legislation. We differ as far as our parties are concerned, just as in courting, it would never do for us all to have the same girl. I believe Party Government is one of the soundest forms of Government in the world.”

Mr Jones concluded by saying that all that was wanted to give to New Zealand that bright and glbrious future it was destined for was that cooperation of spirit which woufd cultivate goodwill among masters and men rather than that idea that man anct master must be at war. When Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., roseto speak, the Taranaki farmers listened expectantly, hut all the Labour representative said was that it would be out of place for him to reply in that gathering, but if arrangements could be made to get representatives of workers to meet representatives of the farmer's to hear each other’s point of view much good would result. “Wo have a point of view, ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “and the workers are very sincere in holding that point of view. Take the question of restriction of boy labour. If there were an unrestricted number of boys entering a trade within a certain short period of time, the number of people in any one industry would he out of all proportion to the amount of work available in that industry, so there would be about a dozen men available for every job offering. There would not l>e sufficient jobs for the number of adults that have been trained.” Mr H. Bradley (president of the Manufacturers’ Association), in replying to the toast of the “Secondary Industries,” said he had been very much impressed with the fact it was generally realised that every boy and girl in New Zealand was entitled to a job, and it was far better i ; f they got into skilled employment. He was in favour of the prosperity of New Zealand, no matter how it was brought about. A good many people had to be unproductive, but he maintained, thatthe farming and manufacturing industries of New Zealand were the _only two that could make for the welfareof the Dominion. “Your earning power,” he added, “must he conserved by economy in your spending power.” .