EMPLOYMENT OF BOYS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20622, 11 August 1932, Page 5

EMPLOYMENT OF BOYS.

SEPTEiMBER CAMPAIGN, j - i SCHOOL COMMITTEES GIVE ! SUPPORT. | After receiving a deputation frojn the Unemployed Boys' Committee of , the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce , the Canterbury School Committees' As- . sociation decided at its moeting last • evening to give its full support to the campaign for the employment during tho month of September of 500 boys. ■ The deputation, whicli consisted of Messrs 11. P. Donald and W. M. West, . stated that tho assistance of the schools ( was being sought iu carrying out the campaign, and the headmasters without exception had promised their co- i operation. Mr Donald said that lie had been askod by tho Chamber of Commerce to take over tho organisation of the Boys' , Employment Bureau. He had circularised business people, and with the assistance of a number of people and tha newspapers had achieved some good results. However, it had been decided that something bigger was necessary, and that had boen tho origin of tho comprehensive scheme to find employment for fIOO boys during the month of September. Improving the Labour Position. This would be called the youth employment campaign, the first object of which would bo to find work for tho boys, which might in many eases exceed the month, and would in some cases be permanent. The second object would l>o to induce peoplo to spend. By this means it was hoped that trade in Christchureh would bo revived, with a consequent Improvement in the labour position. The speaker was satisfied that such a campaign would result in more work being found for men. The Boys' Unemployment Committee had already found 181 permanent positions and 85 temporary positions for .boys, and offers to employ boys during September were being received freely. "The success of this movement is going to mean tho happiness and, in many cases, the very existence, of some of our boys," said .Mr West. He said that he had received the assurance of every headmaster of the Christchureh schools that they were whole-heartedly in favour of th© scheme, and were prepared to give every assistance in making it successful. "I hope that the school committees will take this matter up seriously," remarked Mr 8. It. Bvison, after the deputation had been heard. lie remarked that the employment of boys had given the School Committees' Association some concern in the past, and should welcome the present concerted effort to relieve the position. "A Question of Principle.'" Mr G'. W. D. Sheppard said that the matter should havo been placed before the committees before the headmasters. No propaganda whatever was allowed in the schools, but there had been some in this case. Mr J. G. Brown: Tho proposal ju*t outlined is heartily to be commended. For any committee to question the action. of such public-spirited men as are heading this campaign is very narrowminded. He moved that the association give it its fullest support. Mr Sheppard seconded tho motion, explaining that he raised the question purely on principle. Mr C. S. Thompson: I am qtiite sure that the proposals of tho Unemployment Committee and the gentlemen who have addressed us to-night will receive 100 per cent, approval from the school committees.