GUIDANCE AND PLACEMENT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22358, 23 March 1938, Page 7

GUIDANCE AND PLACEMENT

NEW YOUTH CENTRE

POSITION OF EXISTING COMMITTEES

GOVERNMENT’S DESIRE FOR COLLABORATION

The organisation of the new “Youth Centre” being established by the Government in Christchurch for vocational - guidance and placement of youths, and 1 its relationship with the existing boys’ and girls’ vocational guidance and employmeni committees, was discussed at a joint meeting of the two committees yesterday. Mr J. S. Hunter, secretary of the Labour Department, stated that the Government desired the continuation of the assistance and advice of the committees which had done such good work in Christchurch. Mr A. J. McEldowney presided, and Mr A. J. Ridler, secretary of the State Placement Service for New Zealand, was also present. In reply to questions about the extent of the powers of a committee working under the new system, Mr Hunter said that it would act in an advisory capacity. It was decided that the present boys’ and girls’ committees, and the central executive representing them both, should continue in existence.

The Government fully appreciated the assistance given by the two organisations to vocational guidance and placement work in the past, said Mr Hunter. It had decided to expand the benefits of the vocational guidance system throughout New Zealand. It had appointed eight vocational guidance officers (two in each main centre) and the utmost time would be placed at their disposal to concentrate on vocational guidance work within the educational curriculum. To perpetuate the work of the committees and cope with the greater volume of work, it had been decided to utilise the services of other departments of state. Instead of being exclusively the function of the Education Department, in association with the committees, the work would be a co-ordinated .function between the Labour Department and the Education Department. It would be dissociated from the ordinary employment activities of the Labour Department. Using Knowledge arid Goodwill

“My purpose here is to discuss with you how your time and knowledge can be associated with the new organisation in the future.” said Mr Hunter. “The Government is highly appreciative of the value of having representatives such as you are associated with it in, the work.” Mr McEldowney welcomed the assurance that the voluntary aspect of the work was to be continued. Mr A. C. Maxwell asked if it was intended to set up a new committee altogether, and in what way the committee was to operate, to assist the officials. Mr Hunter said that he did not think it competent for him to suggest the winding up of the old committees. That should rest with the meeting. The central executive could act by holding frequent meetings as an advisory body to the vocational guidance- . centre. There would be as apart from the placement office. Mr A. E. Bartrum. said that he did not see how a committee could be of much assistance, considering the high capabilities of the officers appointed. Miss F. Cooper asked whether the committee would not be useful in making contacts with the business people and the schools. Difficulty of Delegating Powers

In reply to, Mr Maxwell, Mr Hunter said that there were difficulties in the way of the Government delegating to a committee its own powers, although it was permissible and valuable for it to obtain advice from a committee. Mr Bartrum said that in the two years he had been associated with the committee he had not been able to see that as a committee it had done much. Mr G.. M. Keys, as its executive officer. had such a grasp of the matter that he was able to do more than all the rest of the committee put together. Mr J. S. Barnett said he had the impression that it was the committee’s work which caused the Government to appoint the vocational guidance officers. There was no doubt that the committee had done exceedingly • valuable work. Good work could be done without possessing much power. In reply to a question by Mr F. H. Sandall. Mr Hunter said that the GoV' ernment could not set up a committee to work with the Youth Centre, but it would be very pleased to accept the co-operation of the existing executive or of whatever organisation was set up.

“Is it not clear that neither the executive nor the other committees will have any powers in the' matter and that they are to act only in an advisory capacity?” said Mr G. Lancaster. “There is no question of limiting or defining powers.” A Committee Criticised

“I had the misfortune recently to be a member of a Government committee set up to deal with the placement of youths from 18 to 25." said Mr Maxwell, in explaining his desire for a fuller definition of the powers of the committee. “It was the biggest farce I have been connected with in my life. “I went on with high hopes of. being able to do something for the boys. It proved unworkable, and there were elements at work which made what we tried to do fizzle out. “Whatever comes of this action now, I want to see that a committee is set up with definite powers. There is too much talk and too little done. You cannot expect businessmen to attend meetings and just waste time.” Miss Cooper moved that the combined executive, as well as the boys’ and girls’ vocational guidance committees, should remain as at present constituted. Future developments were likely to make the continuation of the committees advisable, she said. Mr W. T. Langley seconded the motion.

“It is unnecessary to have these unwieldy bodies now,” said Mr Bartrum. “Ih the old days they did good work, but they are too unwieldy. The Government apparently does desire an advisory committee, but the question is who is to elect it if the basic committees disband.” Mr Maxwell moved that before any committee was set up its powers be clearly and distinctly defined, but this was ruled out as being a direct negative to the motion. Dr. D. E. Hansen supported the continuation of the committees. They could when occasion demanded push the Government, and that was something the department’s officers could not do. The motion was carried.

Mr Hunter said the Government was impartial about what action was taken. To have a flexible working arrangement, it was necessary to keep the cem tral executive as small as possible, for it to work effectively. He thought it should represent education—primary, post-primary, board control, and university—then the employers, through their federation and the Manufacturers’ Association, and then labour, through the Federation of Labour and the Trades and Labour Council.-Those might be considered essenrtials. It was, however, for. the committees to select their representatives, ,