ATTENDANCES AT TRADE CLASSES

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23349, 7 June 1941, Page 12

ATTENDANCES AT TRADE CLASSES

♦ EFFECT OF MILITARY SERVICE DEMANDS TRAINING FOR RETURNED MEN DISCUSSED Decreased attendances, largely in trades classes, caused in part by the demands of overseas and territorial service and of Home Guard training, were discussed by the Technical College Board of Governors last evening. The subject led also to a discussion of the possibility of the college commencing the training of returned soldiers of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The discussion arose on a report by the principal (Dr. D. E. Hansen) oh decreased attendances “due probably in part to overseas or territorial service affecting the attendance of older students." The number of evening classes, the report stated, had been reduced by 27 compared with last year. “We are waiting to see the effect at young men of 18 years being called up for territorial training on July 1, but X am afraid it will mean further reductions in our classes,’’ the report added. “Already the attendances at some of our classes are seriously affected through a number of the students drilling in . the Home Guard. However, considering the changes that have come about in the life of the whole country, especially in the last 12 or 18 months, I feel that there is a most commendable keenness among our young people as evidenced by the large enrolments still recorded. Apprentices “Judging by recent placements,” the report stated, “there are not enough young people being engaged as apprentices in the trades at the present time to satisfy the future needs of the country, and one is afraid that if this continues the position will grow worse, due in part to young men being called up for war service, thus reducing the number of apprentices that the trades can employ. Many Nejv Zealand boys had the bitter experience of missing the chance of apprenticeships during the depression, with the result that it was deemed necessary to engage skilled men later from outside New Zealand. For the sake of the boys in their middle ’teens, I sincerely hope that steps will be taken to prevent that calamity befalling them again. “There can be no doubt that the period of apprenticeship comes at a very opportune time in the lives of boys who are desirous of taking up skilled trades. The apprenticeship period of five years means continuous employment at a time in their lives when a steadying ■influence is needed. Though we can achieve very good results by such schemes as Adult Apprenticeship Training and Auxiliary War Workers’ Training for those who have missed their chances, the ordinary apprenticeship training has a good psychological effect on our young workers.” Question of Precedence Referring to the report, the chairman (Mr T. W. West) said 'that it seemed an appropriate subject on which the board might express an opinion—whether the territorial training should take precedence over the educational training. : Mr R, Jones said that he would like some enlightenment about the engineering trades apprentices as he did not know of any falling off in apprentices at present. ■ He had not actual figures available, Pr. Hansen said, but he had been told that in a number of trades there had been a very serious falling off—in anything to do with motor-cars for instance—and that since March 31 the reduction had been still more marked.

Mr A. G. Williams moved that the clauses of the report under discussion be referred to the appointments committee.

According to newspaper reports, said Mr R. Jones, there were now 100 returned soldiery back in Christchurch. The board, he suggested, mightdpquire If there were any unemployed rfien in this category—what the men’s work was—so that the board would know in advance what. help, could be offered. Mr J. J. Hurley suggested that the clauses, under discussion should be treated as in committee. There had, he said, already been one point questioned by Mr J6nes. It was his personal experience that there had been no great demand as far as apprentices were concerned. ' After the board had decided to remain hi open meeting, Mr J. E. Jones said that he did hot see what advantage would he gained by the inquiry suggested. To his mind it was “a bit previous.” He knew a number of men who had come back six months ago, and they did not need work because they were on full pay. He thought the board would have to wait for demands in certain directions. What the board wanted to do was to cater for the men when the demand was there, when the placement authorities felt that a. number of the men were prepared to go into a certain trade. In the meantime, it was the military authorities’, job to deal with the men. His idea, Mr R. Jones said, was to obtain information, in advance, of what might fee expected. • • . “I think, WO, that we ought to tram them now,” said Mr West. .There was bound to be k demand for carpenters, bricklayers, and other tradesmen, he said. It would not be appropriate to wait till 1000 men, for instance, were back, but, 1 instead, the board' should encourage them into starting training tow. , , The board then passed Mr Williams s motion and adopted Mr R. Jones’s suggestion also.. ■ ' ' • Qn a suggestion by Dr. Hansen, members of the board at the conclusion of the meeting visited i the auxiliary war workers’ engineering classes and inspected the articles being made.

re-establishment OF SOLDIERS

FARMERS OFFER SERVICES ■ Its services as a consultative body to assist in any policy brought do'wq, by the Government tor establishing returned solders on the land are to be offered by the North Canterbury Division 'of the New Zealand Fanners’ Union. A resolution approving of this course was adopted at the annual conference yesterday, with little discussion. Mr Spencer Bower asked whether thought should hot be given to the provision of farming education, for returned men who intended to go on to the landi Consideration should at given to the admission of returned men to the farm colleges, which should be prepared for the tremendous demand there might be after the war. Several members insisted that the union should not be. associated in any way with a policy that was not sound.