WORKLESS BOYS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20620, 9 August 1932, Page 7

WORKLESS BOYS.

SCHOOL INSTEAD OF IDLENESS. MINISTER STATES HIS POLICY. A relaxation of the restrictions governing the admission of boys to the ■ Christchurch Technical College,. as a means of assisting in keeping occupied lads who cannot find work immediately, was the subject of a deputation to the Hon. It. Masters (Minister for Education) yesterday afternoon by Messrs T. N. Gibbs (chairman of the Boys' Employment Committee of tho Canterbury Chamber of, Commerce), S. B. Evison, and 11. P. Donald- (honorary organiser). The reply was that while he was entirely _ in sympathy with the work that was being done in Christchurch—and he congratulated the committee upon it —ho could not agree that admission to the college should be solely on the recommendation of the Principal (Dr. D. E. Hansen). However, he said, any recommendations made by Dr. Hansen would be dealt with in a very liberal sense. Relaxation of Restrictions. Mr Evison said that at present the regulations were ■ that a boy must possess a fjree place certificate before he was entitled >to admission to the college. It was suggested that Dr. Hansen should be permitted to admit boys who would benefit by tuition under present circumstances. That might be done by some relaxation of existing regulations. Mr Gibbs said that some of the boys coining forward were being denied the opportunity of staving at the college through the free place question. Some were unable to pay the fees, and on | their applications being referred to | Wellington only a very few were granted. There should be as little ; hindrance as jiossiblo in keeping the boys at school while awaiting employment. "We ask your Department to I be more liberal," said Mr Gibbs. "Thai would be on the lines of remarks made by yourself and others. ' Dr. Hansen and "his staff have the right spirit and there are only a few little machinery difficulties that remain to 'be overcome.'" ■ , ■ . . - Ninety Boys Placed. , Mr Donald said that it was becoming increasingly necessary to keep the boys off tho streets. During the last two or three months 90 boys had been placed on the land. If other boys could be allowed to enter ilie college it would be a great help to the committee's work. Continuation classes had been arranged by the college and the Y.M.C.A., and it was highly desirable that lads should be admitted to the college on the recommendation of the Principal. The Minister replied that he greatly appreciated what was being done in Christchurch. The problem of boys out of work was a very serious one, and 'was exercising the mind of hie Government to the greatest' extent. Recently it had taken steps to have a report compiled, covering the conditions throughout the Dominion. He had realised the .difficulty some time ago, when he had eased the conditions. Secondary school pupils and th'ose attending the Technical College and dis- : trict high schools were allowed to continue past stage at which they

would stop in ordinary circumstances. As a result of that concession 348 secondary, 129 and 118 District High "School pupils had remained at school. laterality Promised. "As to tha technical schools, I think wo have been generous,'' -.said the Minister.. "Some applicants . -may have been turned down, but, out of the whole of the applications, I am sure we have been generous. In some cases the requests have been refused because it was proved that the parents were in a position to pay the fees. We have allowed men of 25 years of age to go back to school to learn wool-classing, and that will show that we are not sticking to any rigid rule. "I cannot concede the further relaxation you ask for, but all applications that come before the Department (and all come before nie personally), will be dealt with in the sible, and I, will not be a party : to any cheese-paring. While lam a position to agree to admission sijlely on the recommendation of the Principal of the college, I can say that whatever recommendations lie makes will be deait with liberally." Mr Gibbs then explained the cctiftmittee's proposed, drive to find employment in the City in September for 500 boys. He mentioned that, the • New Zealand Insurance Co., Ltdi, "had; given instructions that a boy must be tdJcej\ on in 'each. of its whether required QtTttOt. •• That had actually been done, and it was* earnestly hoped that thing. other concerns would do the same