UNEMPLOYMENT

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21019, 22 November 1933, Page 4

UNEMPLOYMENT

FINDING WORK FOE BOYS REPLY TO DUNEDIN CRITICISM The comments made by the chairman of the youth employment committee of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce on the report of the New Zealand Technical School Teachers' Association on juvenile employment, as con-, tained in a telegram from Dunedin in yesterday's issue of "The Press," were the subject of a statement made to a reporter yesterday by Mr G. M. Keys, vocational guidance master on the staff of the Christchurch Technical College and secretary of the Christchurch Boys' Employment Committee. Mr Keys said that the criticisms of the report indicated that those who made them seemed to consider that there was no boy unemployment problem. He simply could not agree with that view, which seemed to indicate that either there was a different economic situation in Christchurch, or that things were better organised here, and that those concerned with the question were in closer touch with the problem. From experience extending over the last six or seven years—five men had been actively engaged on the problem in Christchurch—it appeared to him that the last-mentioned was the true explanation. He did admit that there had been a very definite improvement in economic conditions since the report was issued six months ago, and that even more boys had been placed in employment in Christchurch than in Dunedin, but that did not blind him to the fact that the problem was still serious. The members of the Christchurch Boys' Employment Committee also must be convinced of that fact, otherwise they would not be prepared to continue giving their time and attention to 'the problem as they were doing. Criticisms Answered. The criticisms of the report appeared to suggest that those who drew it up were not in touch with actual business conditions, and were not aware of the steps taken already to deal with the problem. In reply to that he could only say that the members of the Technical School Teachers' Association responsible for the report came from various centres of the Dominion, where, they had been actively engaged in facing the problem, and had given their time and attention to the question of juvenile employment. They were, therefore, well qualified to speak on the subject. The main ideas m the report were accepted by a full conference of delegates from all over •P om n l l 9 n ; As to the criticism that it would be very inadvisable to set up a new government board, as suggested in the report, a careful reading of the report would disclose that what was suggested was that a group of persons should be appointed to act in an advisory capacity to the Government and not that a Government board should be constituted. As to the position in Christchurch, there were 1600 names on the register this year so far, and approximately 1000 i boys had been placed in employment, and. of that total 350 had been placed m temporary positions only. These

i —£ figures indicated that they had ' able to accomplish a great deal; Mb, that there was still a serious problems confronting them. f

RELIEF FUND i BUSINESS MEN'S APPEAL The contributions to the Citizens' Relief of Distress Fund, received yesterday, brought the total up to date , to £14,388 9s Id. The honorary treasurer, on behalf of the committee, ac-: knowledges the following additional contributions: — „ . : •■£ s. d. Previously acknowledged 14,371 9 Staff Dept. of Agriculture _ (sixth contr.) .. 2 0 9 Staff and management Ford Motors (Canter- h bury), Lid. . - 15 0 * £14,388 M NEW BRIGHTON RELIEF COMMITTEE The committee of the New Brighton Relief Depot met on Monday eveninft the Rev. S. Bailey presiding. It was decided that, as the number of those being assisted was reduced w less than 200, the depot should be opened on Thursdays, between thS hours of 4.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. . . If was reported that nearly 1150 pairs of boots and shoes had been repaired since this form of help bad been adopted in the borough.