YOUTHS' PLIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 193, 17 August 1939, Page 18

YOUTHS' PLIGHT.

THOUSANDS WORKLESS

ADULT WAGE PROBLEMS. DISMISSED BT EMPLOYERS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, August 12. The plight of the growing army of youths who are dismissed as soon as they become entitled to an adult wage has occupied several columns of the newspapers this week. Giving evidence recently before the Parliamentary select committee on the subject, the Police Commissioner, Mr. Mackay, said juvenile crime would practically cease the moment there was security of employment. This opinion was supported this week by one of Sydney's most experienced detectives, the' Deputy of Police (Mr. Lynch), who is about to retire.

He said: "There is no such thing as a natural criminal type—criminals are made, not born. My experience has shown me that environment makes bovs bad and they grow into criminals. Then they become types. It has made my heart bleed to see children being brought up in an atmosphere of crime which is bound to make them into crooks. I have seen boys, under a bad home influence, get worse and worse, until they became so bad that there was nothing I or anyone else could do to release them from their awful life. They were taught to be criminals just as other boys are taught religion."

The Federal Assistant Treasurer, Mr. Spender) at a city meeting this week, described the sacking of youths on reaching 21 as "a criminal waste of one of our best assets," and the issue each year of 10,000 permits to work children in factories as "disgrace abounding." Mr. Spender was speaking at a meeting called to launch the Political Vigilance Organisation. Its purpose is stated to be investigation of social and political problems and, when conclusions are reached, the advocacy of their adoption. Monster Protest Planned. If plans sponsored by the Legion of Christian Youth mature, this juvenile unemployment problem will be very forcibly brought to the public notice shortly. The legion is planning a big demonstration in which thousands of unemployed youths from all parts of the State will take part. There will be a procession through the city, with a halt at Parliament House, where a deputation will see the Premier, and a mass meeting in the Domain. Tlie plans have the approval of Bishop Burgmann, Anglican bishop of Goulburn, who is the national president of the legion.

Another aspect of the youth unemployment problem was put before the Select Committee by the Supervisor of Technical Education, Mr. A. W. Hicks. Referring to the distribution of skill and intelligence in the community, he gave the following figures:—Superior ability, 3 per cent; above average; ability, 24 per cent; average ability", 46 per cent; below average, 24 per cent; mentally deficient, 3 per cent. He said that the top 27 per cent would be capable of doing a diploma course at the technical college or a course at the university, and the 46 per cent of average ability would be capable of becoming tradesmen.

It does not seem, therefore, that lack of mental ability or skill can be advanced as a reason for the army of unemployed youth. The manageress of the State Labour Exchange (women's branch) told the committee that although there were 3000 girls in the State between 14 and 21 unemployed, she had 171 vacancies for domestic work at not less than £1 a week which she could not fill. She said girls preferred factory work where they were assured of regulated hours, conditions and wages. i