VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 72, 25 March 1919, Page 10

VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

WILL THERE BE GOVERNMENT VACANCIES J DEPUTATION TO COABUSSIOXER. A deputation consisting of Mr. Gillies (ell! .rman of Repatriation Board), Mr. Andrews (secretary R.S.A.), and Mr. Sexton (chairman of Permanently Disabled Soldiers' Sub-Committee), waited upon the Public Service Commissioner (Mr ]). Robertson) yesterday morning with a view to ascertaining what opportunities there were for placing permanently disabled men in the Public Service after they had received sufficient training. The deputation argued that before mini would undergo vocational training they would naturally wish to know what chances they would have ot obtaining employment when their training is complete. The deputation asked for an indication as to the kind of training which it would be most desirable for the men to undergo. It, was pointed out that the Kepatri.it ion Hoard could assist

am- d'overnmeflt Department in the. same wav as it had already assisted

private employers by subsidising trainees until they were capable of earning a full salary. The commissioner gave the deputation" a sympathetic hearing, and promised to go into the matter with the various departments concerned, wit" a view to advising the men of the available openings, so .that they could determine what vocational training to under-

"The Commissioned, Mr. O. ? on pointed out th« number of clerks employe-! in Oovonunent department* in Auckland was comparativolv small, and that the bulk of the work* was centralised in Wellington. In order to solve the problem for Auckland men. it was necessary to bring pressure to bear upon tlie Government to pause it to embark upon a policy of decentralisation as far as possihle. The advisability of preseing on with the work of tlie State sawmilling departments was nl>»o pointed out, as this would absorb It large number of fit men as well as a certain proportion of permanently disuble.l men, and would have the effect of making available tbe necessary timber for erecting bouses that are so needed for returning soldiers who contemplate setting up housekeeping*, also easing tlie situation for the civilian population.